FOXBOROUGH'S 

OFFICIAL 
W' CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



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FOXBOROUGH'S 



OFFICL\L 



CENTENNIAL RECORD, 




SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1878. 



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PUBLISHED BY 
AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE. 

1879. 



At a meeting of the Centennial Executive Committee, held August 15, 
1878, the Committee on Publication reported "that the Official Record of 
Foxborough's Centennial Celebration, containing a full and complete record 
of the proceedings of the day, together Avitli verbatim reports of each of 
the speeches, sentiments, responses, .etc., be compiled and published by the 
Clerk of this Committee." Report accepted and adopted. A true copy 
of record so far as it relates to the matter of publication. 
Attest : 

ROBT. W. CARPENTER, 

Clerk. 



Errata. 
On page 70 (32d line), for " 1843" read " 1838. 




4;|^BDST0H.GfAi . , 



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7 



CONTENTS. 



Town's Records 

Report of Committee Favoring the Celebration .... 5" 

Report of Committee to the Town after the Celebration . 11 

Treasurer's Report . . • • • • ■ • • ■ . U 

Acceptance of the Report by the Town and action thereon . . 20 

Resolution in regard to the accident 20 

Programme of the day 

Marshal's Orders, Route of Procession, etc 23 

The Celebration 

How the Programme was carried out 25 

Fatal Accident 2o 

The Procession ^" 

The Decorations ^^ 

Unabridged Report of the Literary Exercises .... 34 

The Prayer by Rev. Bernard Paine 34 

Address of Hon. Otis Cary . . . ^ 37 

Address by Mr. Fred. H. Williams 38 

Act of Incorporation .....•••• '*^ 

The Centennial Hymn . . . ' ^^ 

Historical Oration by Hon. E. P. Carpenter 47 

Thk Centennial Memorial. 76 

Address by Rev. Wni. H. Spencer 77 

Hymn . . • • . • • • • • ■ .8-^ 

The Collation ^^ 

Invocation by Rev. W. Harrison Alden, D.D 83 

After-Dinnek Exercises 83 

The Centennial Poem 84 

Sentiments and Responses 100 

Addresses of Governor Rice, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Hon. H. 
W. Paine, John Winslow, Esq., C. W. Sumner, Esq., A. T. 
Starkey, Esq., J. E. Pond, Jr., Esq., Rev. Bernard Paine, Rev. 
William R. Tompkins, Hon. J. B. D. Cogswell, Ellis Ames, Esq., 

Joseph E. Bartlett, M.D 100-155 

Greetings from Absentees ........ loo 

Letters from Mrs. C. E. Page, Rev. Otis Cary, Jr., Rev. E. Y. 
Garette, Rev. Wm. Barnes, D. C. Winslow, Esq., Com. H. D. 



4 FOXBOROUGU CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Smith, George Copeland, Esq., Mr. Eldridge H. Packard, Mr. 
Henry Hodges, Rev. James H. Little, Mr. Wm. L. Penney, Rev. 
James Eastwood, Jolin G. Jones, Esq., Mr. Frank O. Cole, Samuel 
S. Warren, Esq., Mr. Alexander Boyden, Mr. Aaron Hobart. 155-1G8 
The Illumination and Close of the Festivities .... 1G9 

Newspaper Clippings .......... 170 

Extracts from " Foxborough Times," Boston "Advertiser," "Her- 
ald," "Journal," "Post," "Transcript," and "Traveller" . 170-174 

Sunday Services 175 

Synojjsis of Religious Services and Temperance Meeting . . 175 

The Museum 183 

A description of the Exhibition, with names of many Contributors, 
by Mr. Amos J. Bo_yden, Secretary of Museum Committee . 183-194 
Address to the Centennial of 1978, by Mr. Amos J. Boyden . 195 



APPENDIX 199 

Memorial Record of the Patriotism of our Soldiers and 
Town. Address delivered before Post 91, G.A.R., May 31, 

1877, by Hon. E. P. Carpenter 199-219 

Roll-Call of Foxborough's Soldiers, 1861 to 18G5 . . . .220 

Patriots of 1776 229 

Soldiers of 1812 229 

Roll of Honor, 1861-1865 . . 230 

Our Honored Dead .......... 233 

Roster of the "Veterans of the War " ...... 233 

The Minute-men . ' 234 

Statistics 237 

Area, Population, and Valuation ....... 237 

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions ...... 237 

State Senators 237 

Representatives to General Court, 1778 to 1878 .... 237 

Justices of the Peace ......... 238 

Selectmen and Town Clerks during the Century .... 239 

Settled Ministers 241 

Changes in Boundary Lines ........ 242 

Index to and Description of Illustrations ..... 242-248 

Fac-simile of Invitations ..... . . 249-252 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD, 



I. 

TOWN'S EECORDS. 



The following appears on the Town Clerk's records of a 
Town Meeting held August 20, 1877 : — 

" Voted, That a committee of seven be chosen to take into 
consideration the celebration of the Centennial of Incorpo- 
ration of the Town, and report at next annual meeting. 
Committee to be chosen by ballot, and E. P. Carpenter, 
W. T. Cook, Otis Cary, Joseph A. Kingsbury, James 
Capen, C. ^N . Hodges, and R. W. Carpenter, were chosen 
such committee." 

This committee, at the annual meeting held March 18, 
1878, presented the following 

REPORT. 



At a Town Meeting held August 20, 1877, it was 
''Voted, That a committee of seven be chosen to take 
into consideration the celebration of the Centennial of the 



6 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Incorporation of the Town, and report at the next Annual 
Meeting." 

Accepting the spirit, rather than the letter, of the above 
vote, the committee-elect have not only taken into considera- 
tion the celebration of the Centennial, but have taken such 
action as it appeared requisite to present a report on which 
the town could act understandingly. 

It is the unanimous opinion and decision of the committee 
that the town should, in a creditable manner to itself, cele- 
brate the One Hundredth Anniversary of its Incorporation, 
not only as a matter of local pride and interest, but to 
evince our appreciation and gratitude for the "goodly 
heritage " bequeathed to us by our ancestors, whose self- 
denial, courage, fortitude, and patriotism are worthy of our 
commemoration ; and their record should not be lost, but 
handed down by us to generations that may come after, 
that they, too, may better appreciate and perpetuate the 
blessings of a free government established at so great a 
sacrifice. 

This matter appeals not only to our ancestral pride, but to 
our present local pride and interest. Foxborough has no 
compiled history beyond the town records, which for the 
first twenty-five years are in a most dilapidated condition. 
A most favorable opportunity was lost when the town 
neglected to accept the recommendation of Congress, in- 
dorsed by the Legislature of our own Commonwealth : 
" That the people of the several States assemble in their 
several counties or towns, on the approaching Centennial 
Anniversary of our Independence ; and that they cause to 
have delivered on such day an historical sketch of said 
county or toAvn from its formation, and that a copy of said 
sketch may be filed in print or manuscript in the clerk's 
oflUce of said county, and an additional copy of said print or 
manuscript be filed in the oflSceof the Lil)rarianof Congress, 
to the intent that a complete record may be obtained of the 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 7 

progress of our institutions during the first centennial of 
their existence." 

Such a record could have then been obtained at a nominal 
cost, and the value of such an opportunity to make a public 
and official record of the town's history cannot be stated or 
estimated, for it never was presented before, and never can 
be again under the same circumstances ; but your committee 
have l;iopes that our centennial record may find a place with 
the more enterprising towns that accepted the recommenda- 
tion to make their record in the history of the progress of 
our institutions. 

Our town has been unfortunate in its public record ; the 
Census of Massachusetts for 1875, under the head of "Manu- 
factures and Related Occupations," gives this town the space 
of three lines only, — less than any town in the county, and 
less than any town in the State that makes any claims to 
manufacturing interests. This official record, which is made 
every ten years, specifies, under the head of Manufactures, 
only " packing-boxes " and "straw goods," without naming 
other interests or occupations ; leaving the town, officially, 
for the next ten years, without a blacksmith, painter, paper- 
hanger, carriage manufacturer, wheelwright, tinman, soap 
manufacturer, grist-mill, shoe-maker, photographer, mason, 
printer, carpenter, harness-maker, and other varied and 
important interests. 

The importance of having a correct and official record can 
be understood and appreciated by all, for it is the history of 
our day and generation to those that follow us, and to those 
of our oAvn day who may be interested in our welliire. As 
we have no reason to be ashamed of what has been done in 
the past, Ijut accomplished much that we may well be proud 
of, a more appropriate or fitting time coidd not be selected 
to make our official record than the centennial anniversary 
of our town's incorporation. 

The social and family relations connected with such a cele- 



8 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

bration appeal to past and pleasant associations that will be 
renewed as avc welcome those who have gone out from 
among us, who will be happy to return and exchange greet- 
ings ' and congratulations, and with us revicAv the past, 
making a joyous day in life's journey that all will remember 
with pleasure as Foxborough's Centennial. 

To make the celebration a success every person in town 
should take an interest ; for all are directly interested, and 
the history of a town is the history of its citizens. Every 
town is what its citizens individually and collectively make 
it, and its record for enterprise, public spirit, industry, 
patriotism, moral and religious element, makes up the char- 
acter of its people. 

The town cannot afford to forget the sacrifice made by its 
founders, or leave unwritten its past history, and all its 
citizens should be united in making its centennial one of 
commemorative historical and social interest, — a day not 
only for the renewal of old acquaintances and friendships, 
but a day of revival of public spirit and enterprise, that 
shall be a pledge for the future growth and prosperity of the 
town. 

The committee have assumed that, in a matter of such 
general interest, a large majority of the inhabitants will 
participate in the celebration ; and that there will be, of the 
five hundred or more former or native-born residents that 
have gone out from among us, with other invited guests, a 
large attendance, not less, perhaps, under favorable circum- 
stances, than two thousand people. 

A celebration that contemplates this number of people, or 
even fifteen hundred, makes it necessary to have the exercises 
of the day in a tent, having no hall or audience room that 
would accommodate even the smaller number. 

To provide for the entertainment of so large a number was 
a problem that, at first, was a serious obstacle in the minds 
of the committee ; but having decided on the picnic plan for 



FOXBO ROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 9 

a collation, the general details of the celebration were readily 
and nuanimously agreed upon. 

The committee at first considered that the 10th of June 
was the proper day to celebrate, it being the centennial 
anniversary of the date of the signing of the Act of Incor- 
poration ; but, on consulting the town records, found that the 
tirst Town Meeting was held June 29, 1778, and it being 
for many re.isons a day that would probalily call out a larger 
number, and a day just as proper for our centennial anniver- 
sary, the committee recommend the coming 29th day of June 
as the day for the celebration. 

That we can have a celebration without expense is not to 
be anticipated or expected ; but 3'our committee are not un- 
mindful that our centennial has come to us with hard times, 
and that any unnecessary expenditure for any purpose is not 
in keeping with public sentiment, and economy of expendi- 
ture has been the study of the committee. A celebration 
that will be creditable to the town, according to careful 
estimates, will cost some seven hundred and fifty dollars, 
wdiich would amount to about twenty-five cents for each in- 
habitant, or one-twentieth of one per cent, of the assessed 
valuation, and about half the amount the town is authorized 
to appropriate under the law that was passed giving to towns 
authority to spend money in celebrating centennials. 

The principal items of expense will be for salute, use of 
tent, entertainment of invited guests, music, printing, tables 
in tent, and a Memorial-Rock. 

The committee may be too sanguine in their expectations 
of the will and pleasure of the people in this matter ; but if 
the general expression of interest that has been manifested 
on the part of those that the committee have consulted with, 
in public and in private, are any true indication of public 
sentiment, we are led to believe that there is a union of 
feeling at the present time, and will be developed, that will 
make a page in the history of Foxborough that will be a 



10 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

credit to the town, and that its citizens will never regret that 
they lived to see and participate in its centennial. 

E. P. CARPENTER, 

WM. T. COOK, 

OTIS GARY, 

JOSEPH A. KINGSBURY, 

JAMES CAPEN, 

C. W. HODGES, 

ROBERT W. CARPENTER. 

" Voted, That the report of the committee be accepted ; 
that the expenditures of the committee be limited to the 
sum recommended by themselves, and that the same com- 
mittee be authorized to carry out their recommendations." 

« 

" Voted, To appropriate seven hundred and fifty dollars 
toward celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Town's 
Incorporation." 

At the adjourried meeting held March 23d, it was 

" Voted, That the report of the Committee on the Centennial 
Celebration be entered upon the Records of the Town." 

" Voted, That a sum not to exceed seven hundred and fifty 
dollars be ajapropriated toward defraying the expenses at- 
tending the celebration of the Centennial Celebration of the 
Town." 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 11 



REPORT 



CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE 



TOWN, IN TOWN MEETING, SEPT. 14, A.D. 1878. 



A full and detailed report of the committee's doings would 
be a presentation of the records made by the clerk of the 
committee, who has performed the duties incumbent on the 
position in a most feithful and satisfactory manner ; and they 
should find a place, when fully completed, in the archives of 
the to^m, that all who are to come after us and did not wit- 
ness or read the records in Foxborough's successful celebra- 
tion, may find its history in the records thus preserved. 

Your committee, having been authorized to carry out the 
recommendations made at the annual meeting in March last, 
continued under the same organization, — E. P. Carpenter, 
Chairman, Robert W. Carpenter, Clerk, and elected as 
Treasurer, C. W. Hodges. Your committee held thirty- 
seven sessions, and their proceedings have ever been char- 
acterized by harmony and unanimity ; and we are pleased to 
add that we have had the hearty cooperation of all the com- 
mittees connected with the celebration ; and the citizens at 
large have seconded the plans and efforts of the committee 
to a degree which made it, what it should be, the TOWN'S 
Celebration. 

The committee made the following appointments as Officers 
of the Day, Chaplains, Orators, Reader, Poet and Poetess : — 
Chief Marshal, C. F. Howard ; President, Otis Cary ; Chap- 



12 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

lains, Rev. Bernard Paine, at Opening Exercises ; Eev. Q. 
H. Shinn, at Memorial-Rock ; Rev. William Harrison Alden, 
D.D., at Invocation. Welcome Address by Fred H. Wil- 
liams ; Centennial Hymn by Miss Hannah W. Paj^son ; Act 
of Incorporation read by Robert W. Carpenter; Oration by 
E. P. Carpenter ; Memorial-Rock Address by Rev. \Vm. H. 
Spencer ; Original Hymn by Miss H. W. Pay son ; Poet of 
the Day, Rev. John. T. Pettee ; Toast Master, Rev. W. H. 
Spencer. 

They appointed committees to arrange details of the cele- 
bration as follows : — 

Memorial-Rock. — James Capen, Ezra Pickens, and Pres- 
ton A. White. 

Invitations. — Benjamin B. Shepard, Kate B. French, 
Sarah B. Doolittle, R. Walter S. Blackwell, Sarah T. Cary, 
Wm. D. Carpenter, and Ira B. Richmond. 

Reception. — William Carpenter, Willard P. Turner, 
Junius B. Mowry, Elisha White, Carmi Richmond, Virgil 
S. Pond, L. Bryant Wilber, Mrs. Wm. Carpenter, Mrs. Jane 
Kerr, Mrs. E. P. Carpenter, Linus E. Carpenter, Mrs. L. 
E. Carpenter, W. E. Horton, Isaac P. Carpenter, J. G. S. 
Hitchcock, Benjamin F. Boyden, 2d, Lemuel Dickerman, 
George C. Forrest, and Erastus Grover. 

Procession. — L. Porter Faught, Henry T. Comey, Daniel 
W. Folsom, Ezra Pickens, Abram J. Nichols, A. T. Starkey, 
Ernest S. Mann, Albert L. Pond, Frank I. Sherman, Charles 
Dunbar, James A. Morse, Albert J. Daniels, and Henry G. 
Warren. 

Salute. — Wm. H. Torrey, Edwin P. Jewett, and A. 
Frank Belcher. 

lUuminations. — Michael Ryan, Joseph Richards, L. E. 
Gray, Gardner A. Carpenter, George A. Fales, Joseph H. 
Alden, Wm. H. Falvey, Virgil C. Pond, George M. Fillc- 
brown, Fred E. Butterworth, Geo. F. Williams, A. W. Gilson, 
Ezra C. Comey, Edward M. Phelps, and Herbert Inman. 



FOXBOROUGFI CENTENNIAL RECORD. 13 

Decorations:. — Linus E. Carpenter, Fred S. Lane, Wil- 
larcl W. Turner, George S. Walcott, James W. Brennan, 
Sylvester M. Cushman, and Wm. H. Falvey. 

floral Decorations. — Mr. and Mrs. David Carpenter, Mr. 
and Mrs. A. Frank Belcher, Sylvester M. Cushman, Horace 
Carpenter, Mrs. Susan Fuller, Miss Minerva Torrey, Miss 
Augusta Shaw, Miss Frank Jewett, Miss Mary A. D wight. 
Miss Lou Hitchcock, Miss M. Alice Phelps, Miss Sarah 
Shepard, Miss Lillie Bassett, Mrs. Abby Washburn, Richard 
S. Carpenter, and Warren A. Carpenter. 

Tents. — Y.. P. Carpenter. 

Seats and Tables. — Virgil S. Pond, Francis D. Williams, 
C. Warren Lane, Wm. Leonard, Thomas B. Bourne, Azel 
H. Drake, and Horace B. Hartshorn. 

Martial Music. — Wm. T. Cook, Charles F.Howard, and 
Wm. H. Youno;. 

Vocal Music. — Albert F. Pettee, George D. Hunt, and 
Miss Annie M. Johnson. 

Toasts. — ^Vm. H. Spencer, A. T. Starkey, J. E. Pond, 
Jr., and Edwin W. Clarke. 

Museum. — Lewis Pond, Mrs. E. P. Carpenter, Mrs. L. 
E. Gray, Mrs. Jane Kerr, Amos J." Boy den, Mrs. John 
Garside, Ira G. Nichols, S. Irving Carpenter, Miss Lizzie 
Gray, and Wm. B. Crocker. 

Dnfertaimnent. — Eli Phelps, Edward O. Nichols, George 
A. Thayer, Wm. Hart, Ebenezer W. Allen, James W. 
Alden, Miss Martha Seaver, Mrs. O. C. Pettee, Mrs. P. A. 
White, Mrs. Lovisa S. Maddocks, Mrs. Albert F. Pettee. 
Mrs. David Morrill, Mrs. C. F. Howard, and Mrs. Walter 
H. Fisher. 

Religious Services. — Charles N. Morse, Thomas B. Bourne, 
Elisha White, E. G. P. Guy, C. W. Lane, and Chester F. 
Morse. 

Hoive Monument. — Otis Cary. 

The committee had been very guarded in their appropria- 



14 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

tious, determined not to exceed the amount at their conunand, 
and felt assured that the town's appropriation, with the 
sums donated by individuals and received from Concert and 
Museum funds, would defray all expenses incurred by order 
of your committee ; and it was not until the twenty-second 
of the month that it became evident, beyond any contingency, 
except bad weather, that the provisions for the accom- 
modation of the invited guests and people must be very 
largely extended ; and to meet this emergency the committee 
assumed the responsibility of increased expenditures, under 
the conviction that it would be far better for the committee 
to suffer the censure of the town than that the town should 
suffer the discredit with the public in its well-earned reputa- 
tion of liberality and hospitality. 

Referring ( o the report made b}^ the committee at the An- 
nual Town Meeting, and comparing the estimate then made 
of what might be the numbers that would attend the cele- 
bration, and the former and native-born residents, with 
other invited guests, and. the actual results, we find that 
we not only greatly under-estimated the numbers of former 
and native-born residents, but the interest which was de- 
veloped by our own citizens and the public at large. 

The Committee on Invitations, under instructions to invite 
as guests of the town the former and native residents, and 
names submitted by the committee as ofiicial and distinguished 
guests, issued, with postal cards inclosed, directed to " Cen- 
tennial Invitation Committee," with words "Accept" and 
"Decline" on the back, the following form of invitation.^ 

The cards returned, and received up to the evening of the 
28th, were, in all, eleven hundred and ninety-two accept- 
ances, two hundred and ninety-seven declining, and quite a 
number of each came on the day of, and after, the celebra- 
tion ; in all, more than fifteen hundred, and of this number 
there were less than one hundred ofiicial and distinguished 

1 Fac-siinile of invitation inserted at close of this volume. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 15 

guests. There were very many letters received with, or in 
addition to, the cards returned, expressing a deep interest in 
the celebration, and in the town's welfare ; and many pleasant 
and happy greetings were also found upon the cards ; and, 
what is most remarkable, the town has its representatives in 
nearly every State and Territory in the country, and quite a 
number in foreign lands. 

The invitations were issued at an early date, that an ap- 
proximate estimate might be made of the number to be pro- 
vided for ; and it became evident to the committee, two 
weeks before the celebration, by the number of acceptances 
received, and the general interest manifested by our own 
citizens, and the great demand for tickets, that more ex- 
tended provision for the invited guests and citizens than had 
been provided by the committee must be made to give any 
degree of satisfaction, and make it, what all seemed most 
desirous that it should be, a complete success. 

Provision for the entertainment of twenty-five hundred 
had been made, but the order for the "picnic-boxes" was 
increased seven hundred and fifty-seven, — the total number 
reported by Richmond & Co., of New Bedford, the caterers, 
that they had, or could provide at so short a notice. . 
One hundred and sixty-three boxes were also ordered filled 
upon the morning of the celebration. (The bill for the pic- 
nic-boxes was seven hundred and fifty-one dollars and 
foj'ty-one cents.) . . . The large tent and small mess- 
tent were furnished by R. M. Yale & Co., of Boston. The 
Boston & Providence Railroad transported the tents, and all 
other freight that came to the town, free of expense. As 
the large tent and the Good Samaritan tent, which were 
loaned free of charge, would not seat over twenty-five hun- 
dred, it became necessary to provide another tent, and, with 
this tent, the necessary tables, seatings, crockery, etc., and 
Messrs. Yale &, Co. were again applied to. (The total bill 
for tents was one hundred and eighty-two dollars.) The 



16 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAIj RECORD. 

crockery was hired at specified rates for use and breakage, 
and the bill for use was fifty-six dollars and ninety-six cents, 
and for lireakage twenty-one dollars and forty cents ; in all, 
seventy-eight dollars and thirty-six cents. In the matter of 
lumber for tables, seats, etc., your connnittce confess that 
their judgment was entirely at fault as to the loss which 
wx)uld be made on the sale of the lumber after its use, 
or that the public did not appreciate its value ; for fifty 
dollars was the amount estimated to cover the depreciation 
in value of the lumber used in the large tent ; Init the amount 
used, on account of the increased order for tent-room, w-as 
more than double what was at first estimated, and the loss 
on the whole was two hundred and nineteen dollars and 
eighty-six cents. 

It was at first arranged that the tea and cofiee should be 
made by our own people, but the quantit}^ required was so 
large that it was deemed impracticable,' and it was decided 
to intrust this matter to practical and experienced parties, 
and the charge for coffee and tea and making w^as sevent}'- 
two dollars and fifty cents, and for the concomitants, thirty- 
six dollars and forty-five cents. 

The extra loss on the increased amount of lumber and 
extra expenses of providing entertainment, aside from the 
picnic-boxes, of course, cannot be ascertained; but the in- 
creased cost and losses sustained, that have been referred to, 
are quite sufficient to account for the expenditures in excess 
of funds at the hands of the committee. 

Fifty dollars was appropriated for decoration of town 
buildings and twenty-five dollars for decoration of the tent ; 
but the Connnittee on Decorations ol)tained quite a large 
subscription from citizens, paid all their l)ills, and returned 
to the committee three dollars and seventy cents. The com- 
mittee who had in charge the Centennial Concert paid into 
the hands of the treasurer one hundred and sixty-eight dol- 
lars and thirty cents, of which one hundred and twenty-five 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 17 

dollars was paid to Foxboro' Brass Band, three dollars and 
fifty cents to memljers of the Continental Band, and thirty- 
six dollars and thirty cents for expenses of the concert. 

No appropriation was made to the Committee on Illumi- 
nation ; but they obtained, by subscription, the sum of two 
hundred and fifty dollars, and all who witnessed the result 
of their labors have only words of commendation and 
praise. 

The treasurer's report, which is appended, shows the total 
receipts and expenditures, and the amount the committee has 
exceeded the appropriation made by the town, and amounts 
received from dificrent sources, to be seven hundred and 
seventeen dollars and ninety cents. 

To congratulate the town upon the very great success of 
its Centennial Celebration is only to repeat what is acknowl- 
edged by all who witnessed the day's proceedings; our 
expectations were more than realized, our local pride and 
ambition fully satisfied, and a page written in the history of 
Foxborough that the living witnesses will never forget, and 
the generations that are to come after us will read with 
interest. 

But all these pleasant considerations and historic interest 
would have counted as nothinsr if it could have been known 
that the salutation which ushered in our town's new-born 
century was to be the death-knell of John A. Davis, one of 
our fellow-citizens, for all would have proclaimed with one 
voice and heart, " Better, far better, that the history of our 
town's centennial day should never be written, but remain a 
blank forever, than that one life should be sacrificed in its 
celebration ! " The committee do not feel that they should 
be held responsible, in any measure, for the sad accident, 
for arrangements had been made with the State authorities 
to furnish guns, and men to man them, for firing the salutes, 
and it Avas not until after the organization of our veteran 
soldiers and sailors into a company to perform escort duty, 



18 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

that the plan was changed, and then only by the request, 
through a committee, that they should command the salute, 
with the special pleadings that " their experience in battery 
service in the late war ought to be sufficient guarantee that 
they could fire a salute in the celebration of their own town's 
centennial." To deny their request was to them a reflection 
upon their record as soldiers, and, as an acknowledgment of 
their interest and commendable spirit to serve the town in 
its celebration, the committee, after consulting State authori- 
ties, consented to deleoate the charge of firing the salutes to 
the Veteran Volunteers. 

It would be most unjust, nay, cruel, to charge upon 
Davis or his comrades any blame for his untimely death ; for 
they shared together the risk in the discharge of their duty, 
and, under the circumstances, it was most providential that 
others were not injured or kilted. 

It is not the province of this committee to instruct the 
town in its duty. The fact that John A. Davis was killed at 
his post of duty in the service of the town, leaving a widow 
and two children without the care and protection of a hus- 
band and father, carries deeper conviction to the heart of 
every citizen of his responsibility and duty than any words 
of recommendation that mio:ht come from this committee. 



'O* 



E. P. CARPENTEE, 

WM. T. COOK, 

OTIS GARY, 

JOSEPH A. KINGSBURY, 

JAMES CAPEN, 

C. W. HODGES, 

ROBERT W. CARPENTER. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



19 



Synopsis of Treasurer's Report in Account with 
Centennial Fund. 



Dr. 

Amount of appropriation . 
Contributed by Oliver Carpenter 

" "A. Taylor Carpenter 

" " F. E. & David Hartshorn 

Proceeds of Centennial Concert 
" " Museum 
" " sale of collation tickets . 
" " sale of lumber, crockery, etc 
Received of Decoration Committee . 

" B.C.F.&N.B.R.R. discount on bill, 



Cr. 

Expenses of Memorial-Rock 

" " repairing Howe Monument . 
Printing, postage, advertising, stationery, etc. 
Concert, bauds, costumes, and band-stand ex 

penses . . . . . . 

Ribbons for bado^es .... 

Decorating Town Hall and Common . 
Expenses of Rev. J. T. Pettee to and from Con 

necticut . . . . . 
Carriages ..... 

Cartridges, and freight on ffuns 
R. M. Yale & Co., on account of tents and deca 

rations ..... 

Rent of Home School lot . 
Clearing lot, carting settees, labor on seats, 

tables, etc. ....... 



$750 00 

25 00 

20 00 

10 00 

168 30 

55 77 

387 00 

116 70 

3 70 

10 00 

$1,546 47 



$19 25 

10 45 

106 03 

274 00 

2 25 

50 00 

10 00 

80 00 

111 47 

100 00 
15 00 

72 64 



20 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

S. P. Richmond & Co., on account of collation 

boxes $500 00 

Tea, coifee, sugar, milk, ice, use and breakage 

of crockery ....... 187 31 

V. S. Pond, on account of lumber bill . . 5 75 

Cash on hand ....... 2 32 



Amount of outstanding bills 
Cash on hand . 



Deficiency 



$1,546 


47 


$720 
2 


22 

32 


$717 


90 



The report was accepted, and the Selectmen were author- 
ized to draw on the Treasurer for funds to settle all bills due 
on account of the celebration. 



At a Town Meeting held on Saturday, September 28th, 
the following resolution was adopted : — 

''Whereas, a citizen of this town, John A. Davis, while 
acting at his post of duty, in the service of the town, on the 
morning of Foxborough's Centennial Day, lost his life, 
leaving a widow and two young children, be it 

'■'Resolved, That the citizens of the Town of Foxborough 
feel it incumbent upon them to provide for the widow and 
orphans by appropriating a sum of money in their behalf; 
and that a committee of three be chosen to petition the 
Legislature, in behalf of the town, for permission to make 
such appropriation." 

"Voted, That the Selectmen be that committee." 



II. 

PROGRAMME OF THE DAY. 



OEDER OF EXERCISES ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIYE 
COMMITTEE, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 25, 1878. 



Salute of one hundred guns and ringing of bells at sunrise. 

Salute of seventeen guns on arrival of Governor. 

At 8 o'clock, A.M., procession forms, and moves at 9.30, 
or on arrival of Governor Rice and suite, over route of 
procession given in the Marshal's orders. 

ORDER OF EXERCISES IN THE TENTS. , 

1. Prayer, by Rev. Bernard Paine. 

2. Address of Welcome, by Mr. Fred H. Williams. 

3. Music, "Gloria," Mozart's 12th Mass, by the choirs. 

4. Reading Act of Incorporation, byRob't W. Carpenter, 
Esq. 

5. Original Hymn, by the congregation. 

6. Address, by Hon. E. P. Carpenter. 

7. Music, "America," by the choirs. 

The procession will then re-form and march to the Com- 
mon, where the Memorial-Rock will be unveiled, according 
to the following programme : — 

Prayer, by Rev. Q. H. Shinn. 
Address, by Rev. W. H. Spencer. 
Music, original hymn, by the choirs. 



22 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

COLLATION. 
All having tickets will then return, at 1.30, P.M., to the 
tent, where the collation will be spread. Immediately after 
dinner there will be — 

Selected music. 

Poem of the day, by Rev. J. T. Pettee. 

Toasts and responses, by Rev. W. H. Spencer, Toast Master. 

Music, etc. 

Reunion of families, old friends, and acquaintances. 

One gun at sunset. 

Grand illumination and promenade concert in the evening. 



BAND CONCERT PROGRAMME. 

1. Military March — " From East to West." 

2. Selection — " Le Barbier de Seville." 

3. Waltz — " Lily of the North." 

4. Selection — " Le Pre Aux Clercs." 

5. Polka — Trombone. 

(Performed by Mr. Chas. Graff.) 
G. Overture — " Le Italiana in Algieri." 

7. Polka — " Young America." 

(Performed by Mr. H. C. Brown.) 

8. Waltz — " Morgenblatte." 

9. Selection — " William Tell." 
10. March — " Spirit of 76." 

Cornet Soloist. — Mr. H. C Brown. 
Leader and Conductor. — W. F. Freeman. 



The Town Hall will be open during the day for the recep- 
tion of invited guests, as their head-quarters. 

A collection of most interesting and curious articles of 
olden and modern times comprise the Museum of Antiquities 
in Lower Town Hall. 

The Executive Committee will be designated by badges of 
purple ; head-quarters at Town Officers' Room. 

Reception Committee, blue badges ; head-quarters at Town 
Hall. 



J. 


C. Mullaly. 




Rossini. 


C. II. 


R. Marriot. 




Ilerold. 


A. 


. Boulcourt. 




Rossini. 




J. Levy. 




Strauss. 




Rossini. 


J. 


H. Woods. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 23 

Committee on Procession, scarlet badges. 
Entertainment Committee, pinlc badges. 
Members of the press are invited to make their head- 
quarters at ante-rooms of Town Hall. 

MARSHAL'S ORDERS. 

FORMATION AND ORDER OF PROCESSION. 

The Procession will form at 8 o'clock. 

First Division 

on Liberty street, the right resting on Central street, in the 
following order : — 

^ Platoon of Continentals mounted. 

Chief Marshal and Aids. 

W. H. Torrey and A. F. Belcher. 

Continental Band. 

Escort, consisting of Soldiers and Sailors, authorized by 

his Excellency the Governor and Commander in 

Chief to organize *for the occasion 

as "Veterans of the War." 

Foxboro' Brass Band. 

Executive Committee, Town Officers. 

The President, Poet, and Orator of the day. 

His Excellency Governor Alexander H. Rice and Staff. 

Members of the Executive Council, Officers of the 

U. S. Army, County Officials and Town Officers 

from the neighboring towns. Invited 

Guests, former residents, and 

citizens generally. 

Second Division 

on South street, the right resting on Liberty street, in the 
following order : — 



24: FOXBO ROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Marshal, A. J. Nichols. 

Aids, B. B. Shepard, G. F. Williams. 

Middleboro' Brass Band. 

Engine Company, with Steamer "Foxboro'." 

Cocasset Engine Company, with Engine. 

Representatives of 1778, momited. 

Soldiers and Sailors of 1812. 

School Committee, Members of the Public Schools. 

Third Division 

On Market street, the right resting on South street. 

Marshal, L. P. Faught. 

Aids, H. T. Comey, B. F. Browning, Ernest Mann, C. C. 

Sumner, 2d, George Fillebrown, Herbert C. Faught. 
Will consist of the representations of the Industries of the 

town . 

The Procession will move promptly at 9.30, or on the ar- 
rival of the Governor and Staff. 

The route of the procession will be from Liberty street to 
Central; through Central, across South, to School; through 
School, Bird, Baker, Chestnut, Main, School, Central, to 
Wall; through Wall, Cocasset, Leonard, Central, to South; 
through South to Cocasset ; through Cocasset to Main, where 
the official guests will alight and review the procession, 
which, on passing Main street, will be dismissed. The re- 
viewing party will then be escorted to the tent. All persons 
holding collation tickets, not in the procession, are requested 
to assemble on the Common, and, under the direction of 
Deputy Marshal W. II. Torrey, join the procession on its 
march to the tent. 

The owners and drivers of teams in the Trades Division 
are requested to call on either of the Marshals, on or before 
Friday, the 28th inst., to learn their positions in line. 

C. F. HOWARD, Chief Marshal. 



III. 

THE CELEBRATION 



The opening of the Second Century of Foxborough was to 
have been ushered in by a sunrise salute of one hundred 
guns and the ringing of church and factory bells ; but this 
was suspended, after a few discharges, because of the hap- 
pening of a most deplorable accident which cast a gloom 
over the entire community. By the premature discharge of 
one of the saluting cannon, which was located near the depot 
of the B. , C. , F. & N.B. E.R. , one of the Veterans of the War, 
who was assisting in the salute, John Anthony Davis, a most 
excellent man and esteemed citizen, received injuries which 
caused instant insensibility and almost immediate death. 

At an early hour in the morning the streets were thronged 
with residents and visitors, and at 8 o'clock the formation 
of the procession was commenced, in accordance with the 
Marshal's orders, and at 9.30 the line was ready, and would 
have marched had the Governor and suite been present. 
These official guests left Boston at 8 o'clock, in a special car, 
under the immediate supervision of Superintendent A. A. 
Folsom, of the B. & P. R.R. and were met at Mansfield by 
Hon. E. P. Carpenter and Hon. Otis Cary, of the Executive 
Committee, and Messrs. William Carpenter and Virgil S. 
Pond, of the Reception Committee, and were joined by the 
Middleboro' Brass Band, which played "Hail to the Chief," 
and other selections, on the route to Foxborough. At Fox- 
boro' depot the party entered barouches, and were escorted, 



26 - FOX BOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

by the Foxboro' Brass Band and the Veterans, to the residence 
of Mr. AVilliam Carpenter, where they alighted and rested a 
few minutes before entering the procession. Their escort then 
conducted them to the head of the column, and at 10 o'clock 

THE PROCESSION 

Moved in the following\order : — 
First Division. 

Platoon of Continental Cavalry. 

Chief Marshal, Maj. C. F. Howard, 

Aids, Capt. Wm. H. Torrey and Lieut. A. Frank Belcher. 

Continental Band, Alonzo H. Bond, Leader. 

Eight Pieces. 

Veterans of the War, commanded by Capt. Henry C. Lind- 

ley ; 1st Lieutenant, James S. Carver ; 

2d Lieutenant, David Scott. 
Two Color-bearers and forty- four muskets. 
Foxboro' Brass Band, Wm. F. Freeman, Leader. 
Twenty-three Pieces. 
Pleasure barge " Wachusett," drawn by six plumed horses, 
containing Messrs. E. P. Carpenter, Wm. T. Cook, James 
Capen, Joseph A. Kingsbury, Charles W. Hodges, and 
R. W. Carpenter, of the Executive Committee ; N. F. 
Howard, of Board of Selectmen ; A.J. Daniels, of 
Board of Assessors ; Rev. J. T. Pettee, Poet of the 
Day ; Rev. W. H. Spencer, Memorial Orator ; 
J. E. Pond, Jr., and A. T. Starkey, of Toast 
Committee; Rev. W. H. Alden, D.D., 
Rev. Bernard Paine, and Rev. Q. H. 
Shinn, Chaplains ; David A. Part- 
ridge, Esq., of House of Repre- 
sentatives ; Fred H. Willfams 
and Charles W. Sumner, 
Esqrs., Orators. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 27 

Barouches containing Official Guests, Reception Commit- 
tee, etc. , as follows : — 

His Excellency Alexander H. Rice, Adjutant-General Cun- 
ningham, Colonel Hutchings, and Hon. Otis Cary. 
Councillors Harwood and Childs, Col. Tower and Mr. Wm. 

Carpenter. 
Councillors Hall and Baker, Col. Lyman and Mr. V. S. 

Pond. ' 

Col. Rice, Asst. Adj. -Gen. Kingsbury, Gen. Blackmar and 

Councillor Tweed. 
Hon. J. B. D. Coggswell, Pres. of the Senate ; Treasurer 

Charles Endicott. 
Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Pres. N. E. Agricultural Society 

and Councillor Haynes. 
Rev. Mortimer Blake, of Taunton; Rev. Jacob Ide, Jr., of 
Mansfield, and Rev. Wm. R. Tompkins of Wrentham. 
Speaker John D. Long. 
Oliver Carpenter, Albert Alden, and Arthur Alden. 
Hon. F. D. Ely, of the Senate; Henry W. Paine, Esq.; 
Hon. Nathaniel F. Safford, County Commissioner ; 
Erastus Worthington, Esq., Clerk of Courts ; John 
H. Burdakin, Esq., Register of Deeds ; Jona- 
than Cobb, Esq., Asst. Register of Pro- 
bate ; Ellis Ames, Esq., and many 
other distinguished guests and 
citizens, in carriages. 



Second Division. 

Deputy Marshal, Capt. A. J. Nichols. 

Aids, Benjamin B. Shepard and George F. Williams. 

Middleboro' Brass Band, J. M. Carter, Leader. 

Twenty Pieces. 



»/■ -r-r,/-,r>/-<Tr.' r ,^rA-*'r>')\" . T r^'iiT. 









-iC Tno.r. 






rarraaiKr^ IL "IT, S, Blat^rweH ^Esi^^ ami Mr ^ sua 

«ar-i . - - uc-jm iai:, i^-_ -_:--_ . iia^ft ^saif- 

lijiTmr :ajf scionl n 'vani^ "ferr ^WiJ/oiE^i. Tqpt -wei* jnf^ 



'Trt'K '-H'.i: rVr-oiffTA^ Sifflr»r£L- anioxcu ^2Be xnmsii ^rlnna 



FOXBOROrOH CEXTEXyTAL RECORD. 29 

Szcoyjj I>'TZfejrEDLATE. " ^V'e are the Pioneers of tne 
next Centennial." 

FiksT PKncAET, " Gire ns Boom, or we will Take it." 
Secoxd Pbimart, " We are in onr Infancy. So was Fox- 
borongh once : " and " AVait for Us." 

PLiMprox SoHOOL. motto, " Onward and Upward." 
Caey School, motto, '^ Xo Steps Backward." Besides, 
there was c-arried bv Miss Mabel Turner, of the Second In- 
termediate School, a banner representing a school seene, 
which was first carried in a school procession fifty years ago 
by the grandmother of 3Ii5s Tomer. Two of the piqnls of 
the Plimpton School, whose fonrteenth year began npcm this 
day, joined in carrjing a banner inscribed. "We %liaTl be 
113 years old at the next Centennial." 



Thled Dmsioif. 

^Marshal, L. Porter Faoght. 

Aids, Henry T. Comey, Bartlett F. Browninsr. Ernest S- 

Mann, Charles Calrin Samner, Gieorge M. FiUebrowa, 

and Herbert C. Faoght. 
This Division consisted of representations of the rarioiis 
industries of the town, and was estimated to be more than 
one mile in length. At the head of the line appeared a 

Model of the First Meetins'-hoiise in FoxboTDagh, 
followed by 

Farm wauzon, filled with ancient and modem agricoltinal 
implements, among which was a plough 117 years old. beloag- 
ing to Warren S. Bacon, drawn by six yoke of oxen. 

"Exports of Foxborongh, 1778," represented by a load of 
charcoal and a load of ho2"shead hoops, intended for the 
West India trade. 

'" Imports of 1778," being teams filled with barrels of Xew 
England rum. hogsheads of molasses, and codfish. 



30 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Silk banner inscribed, ''Industries of the Union Straw 
Works," "Nvith figure of female bearing a sheaf of wheat. 

Foreign straw braid and hats, with the names of the coun- 
tries from which they are imported displayed on the wagon. 

FolloAvers of Betsey Baker preparing and braiding do- 
mestic straw, showing the various processes through which 
the straw passes, and contained one of the old braiders of 
domestic straw, in the person of Miss Betsey Pettee. 

Manufacturers' wagons, including those of E. White, C. 
Richmond, J. Castilo, C. C. Sumner, D. W. Folsom, G. A. 
Thayer, tilled with braid, blocks, tickets, thread, etc., show- 
ing the manner in which the straw is distributed among the 
sewers in the neighboring towns. 

Making and finishing straw goods by hand, as the busi- 
ness was originally prosecuted. 

Making and finishing straw goods by machinerj". On this 
wagon were four machines for sewing braid, two for binding 
hats, one for lining, and one for wiring hats, at which female 
operatives were at work ; also a hydraulic pressing machine 
and Fales' patent blocking machine. The machinery was 
driven by a belt attached to one of the wheels of the wagon. 

Load of straw goods in cases ready for shipment to the 
salesrooms of the Union and Bay State jNIanufacturing Com- 
pany. 

Load of linen-board (a substitute for leather, used in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes), moulded into boot and 
shoe counters. 

Seven wagons, drawn by twenty-five horses, all blanketed 
and flagged alike, belonging to Virgil S. Pond, and repre- 
sentino; his business from be^inninj? to end, as follows : The 
first was a load of " saw logs in the rough," just as they come 
from the woods ; 2d, sawed lumber, shingles, boards, etc. ; 
3d, steam saw-mill in operation, sawing box-boards, fitting 
and nailing boxes, reels, etc. ; 4th, manufacturing paper 
boxes and crowns and printing tips for packing straw goods ; 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 31 

5tli and 6th, loads of boxes ready for market ; 7tli, load of 
refuse, kindling', etc. 

The men were at work upon the route filling a hona-fide 
order from O. M. Draper's jewelry house in Attleborough. 

One of the best representations was the wagon of John 
Garside, bearing a monster coffee-pot, with steam issuing 
from the spout. 

White & Grover, large blocks of granite, and cutters at 
work. 

Foxboro' Foundry and Machine Co. 

Crocker & Shepard, large, handsomely trimmed wagon, 
exhibiting their immense line of dry goods, and a separate 
wagon containing a beautifully arranged shoe department. 

B. F. Boyden, 2d, large four-horse wagon, loaded with a 
beautiful "trim-out" of goods in the same line. 

Wm. Igoe, blacksmith shop, with forge in "full blast." 

Jos. Taber, immense blacksmith shop, with two horses 
on board, and process of shoeing in operation, making horse- 
shoes and working at otlier branches. 

"Foxboro' Times," prettily trimmed, with press in opera- 
tion, printing programme of the day. 

A. C. Dean, boots and shoes. 

W. II. Youug, fine carriages ; one team with carriage- 
building going on ; two others, loaded with carriages, sleighs, 
etc., exhibiting beautiful samples of completed work. 

R. W. S. Blackwell, printer, two heavy teams, containing 
case-rack, type, presses in operation, and load of A. N. 
Hoxie's soap, from manufactory of Mr. Blackwell, ready for 
the market. 

S. Blaisdell, stone-cutter. 

A. F. Belcher and N. S. Small, florists, each with car- 
riages beautifully decked with plants and flowers. 

Milk-wagons of II. G. Warren, J. A. Comey, and Hersey 
& Warren. 

G. H. Stifi', painter. 



32 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

John Guiney, harness-maker. 
John Falvey, boot-making in operation. 
Foxboro' Steam Laundry, two teams. 
C. P. Grovcr, watches and jewelry. 
Charles Dunbar, extracts and medicines. 
J. Rundell, two teams, J. C. Mears and Davidson & 
Hartshorn, fish. 

R. H. White & Co., Boston, dry goods. 

C. L. Dunbar and G. Winslow, soap. 

C. C. Jones, paper boxes. 

Dr. H. H. Bowles, dentist. 

L. N. Lowe, meats, three wagons. 

William Castilo, ice. 

Boyden's Mill, grain and flour, three teams. 

Godfrey & Comey, groceries, two teams. 

T. G. Peirce, dry goods. 

C. F. Morse, coal. 

Ryan & Sumner, grain and groceries, three teams. 

A. H. .Messenger, groceries and hardware, two teams. 

E. W. Allen, merchant tailor; shop in full operation. 
Butterworth's Clothing House, represented by team loaded 

with ready-made clothing, gents' furnishing goods, etc. 

Guy & Bros., furniture, flour, tea, and coffee; two 
wagons. 

J. A. Kingsbury, groceries. 

F. D. Williams, coal, etc., and express business, two 
wagons, neatly placarded. 

C. W. Hodges, carpets and furniture, two well-gotten-up 
wagons. 

Guy & Bros., paper hangings. 

THE DECORATIONS 

on the route of the procession and vicinity were elaborate, and 
exhibited much thought and labor. The Town House was 
decorated with bunting and a beautiful equestrian picture of 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 33 

Washiiii^ton, while in front of the entrance were the dates 
" 1778 " and " 1878," surrounded by flags and bunting. Tlie 
display inside was very tine, the flags of all nations being 
suspended, with various army badges and coat of arms of all 
the States. In a prominent position was the motto, " Our 
Honored Guests, Foxborongh Ceutennial." The Soldiers' 
Memorial Hall and engine-honses were also handsomely 
draped with the national colors. The Common was hung 
with bright and gaudy paper lanterns, flags and streamers. 
The M^isonic Building, Cocasset House, and all the public 
buildings, manufactories, and places of business were covered 
with bunting and mottoes. The decorations at the works of 
the Uniou and Bay State Manufacturing Co. were very fine. 
In front of the building was the large and characteristic motto, 
"We cover millions," and dates made of straw hats, " 1778" 
and " 1878." In front of the gate a beautiful arch, with the 
word " Welcome " inscribed upon it. The boarding-houses 
of the corporation were also handsomely trimmed. Among 
the many other places particularly noticeal)le were the Lincoln 
Block, Avith dazzling star and the motto, "Welcome Veter- 
ans ; " Samaritan Hall Building ; Union Building, with the 
mottoes, " One Country, one Constitution, and one Destiny," 
and "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and In- 
separable : " the Depot, with the inscription " Welcome ; " 
the stores of Guy & Bros., Eli Phelps, John Garside, the 
residences of Wm. T. Cook, E. P. Carpenter, Williams 
Leonard, C. W. Lane, Dr. L. Dickerman, Albert Fisher, 
J. E. Carpenter, Ezra Pickens, Henry T. Comey, Lewis 
Pond, J. E. Pond, Seth Sherman, Wm. Carpenter, V. S. 
Pond, L. P. Faught, Wm. H. Young, John Garside, Wm. 
Igoe, Batholomew Brennan, F. D. Williams, L. E. Carpen- 
ter, and many others too numerous to mention. 

Yale's mammoth tents, covering over twenty-two thousand 
square feet of ground, and the Samaritan Club's tent, cover- 
ing two thousand four hundred feet more, which had been 



34 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

erected on the " Home School lot," had flags flying from 
their mast-heads, and were prettily draped with bnnting 
inside and out, thus giving them a gala-day appearance. 

The route of the procession was from Liberty street to 
Central; through Central, across South, to School; through 
School, Bird, Baker, Chestnut, Main, School, Central, to 
Wall ; through Wall, Cocasset, Leonard, Central, to South ; 
through South to Cocasset ; to Main, Avhere the official guests 
reviewed the procession, which, on passing Main street, was 
dismissed. 

The reviewing party was then escorted to the tents, where 
accommodations had been provided for nearly thirty-five 
hundred people. Persons holding collation tickets, and who 
did not join in the procession, marched from the Common 
to the tent under direction of Deputy Marshal W. H. 
Torrey. 



THE EXERCISES AT THE TENTS 

Were opened, after the assemblage had been called to order 
by the President of the day, by 

PRAYER 
By the Rev. Bernard Paine. 

Our Heavenly Father I we adore Thee, as the Author and 
Preserver of all things. We praise Thee, for Thou art greater 
than all. Thou dost superintend alike the worlds of space 
and the aflfairs of men. Thine are all our ways. We rejoice 
and praise Thee that Thy care and providence cover the his- 
tory of every town, that Thy sympathy and help are manifest 
in the whole current of human life. We rejoice and thank 
Thee for Thy signal goodness to this town, from its first 
settlement. We thank Thee that Thou didst oversee its early 
organization. We rejoice to-day as we remember the good 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 35 

men and the true that were in the very beginning of things 
here. We thank Thee to-day, as we remember the Christian 
men, the men of high principle and men of integrity, who 
led the events of this town ; that among its first institutions 
was the Christian Church. We thank Thee, O Lord, for all 
the good men, the men of faith, that were in these early days. 
We thank Thee, O God, out of fervent hearts that Thou didst 
send the ministry of reconciliation, the Gospel of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and that it was preached from year to year from 
the first unto the generations past of the century. We thank 
Thee, O Lord, for all the good that has come out of the 
Church of Christ here. We bless Thee also for the faithful 
labors of Thy servants who have already passed to their re- 
ward, and for the great number who we trust to-day have 
ascended on high, and are casting their crowns before Thee. 
O Lord God, we gratefully remember also that Thou hast 
caused to be established a course of instruction for the 
children and youth. We thank Thee for schools, — for the 
common-school system, that is so congenial to our civil 
government and our nation. We thank Thee for all the in- 
stitutions that have been developed in connection with the 
young and rising generation, and that the Sabbath school was 
established in this town, after half the century had passed 
away. We bless Thee, O Lord, to-day, also for the men of 
true reform to be remembered ; that even when the Washing- 
toniau movement came among our States, it also came and 
rested its ark over this people, and that from that time to the 
present there have been men to stand up for true reform and 
temperance. We thank Thee that now there is such an out- 
gushing of the temperance movement and the temperance 
feeling in this place. We thank Thee, O Lord, also for the 
enterprise and business capacity that Thou didst give those 
who have lived in this town, in the past, who have enriched 
it, and have added to its prosperity. We rejoice to-day, O 
Lord, for all the outcome of this enterprise and this business 



36 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

capacity which Thou has granted in Thy provitlence. We 
thank Thee also, O Lord, for loyal sons and daughters, for 
love of country. We bless Thee that we have the record of 
the noble deeds and the valor of those who went forth and 
sacrificed their lives for the country's safety and honor. Our 
Father, to-day, as now we gather on this centennial anniver- 
sary we look to Thee for Thy special blessing. We thank 
Thee for this bright and clear morning ; for this beautiful air. 
And yet, O God, our hearts are still tender and sad for the 
accident of the early morning. Thou hast taken one away 
from life and friends and family. O God, l)e very near to 
that afflicted circle. Many hearts have been saddened to-day 
by this calamity. Wilt Thou send peace and comfort, O God ! 
And now, Father, we commend all here present unto Thee. 
Especially let Thy blessing rest upon the Governor of this 
State and all that are to-day in authority. May his life and 
health be very precious in Thy sight, and may still many 
years of usefulness and honor be granted unto him. We pray 
that Thou wilt now grant Thy blessing upon all those who are 
to take part in this service. Bless, we pray Thee, the President 
of the day. Bless, we humbly beseech of Thee, him who is to 
speak to us of the past ; and as we shall listen, oh, grant 
that rich blessings may come to us, and that we may be led 
to rejoice to-day, more than ever, in Thy good providence 
and grace. Our Father in Heaven, we also ask Thy blessing 
upon all the families in this town. We thank Thee that Thou 
hast been good to our fathers ; and that here there have been 
Christian homes and families. Let Thy blessing be upon the 
families gathered here. Remember those who are scattered, — 
some who are far away in distant places, and are unable to be 
present ; yet Thou knowest them, and we commend them unto 
Thee and Thy care. Remember Thine aged servant who has 
passed her one hundredth birthday at her home in Boston, and 
is too feeble to be here to-day. We commend her to Thee, and 
pray that Thou wilt comfort her heart and send her sweet 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 37 

memories of the past. Remember all here present, O God, as 
Thou seest they require. Relatives and friends of those who 
have been here and labored for the good of the people, — O 
God, be Thou with them, we pray Thee, and may our fathers' 
God be with theirchildren even unto the end. O Lord God, we 
only wait before Thee now for Thy blessing. As we enter 
upon another century in the history of this town, we humbly 
beseech of Thee that all the growth of the past may be but anti- 
cipatory of the future, that shall be still bright and glorious, 
and more and more progressive in every good thing ; fill us 
all with the truth of the Gospel ; and, finally, we ask it as 
Thy chiefest blessing, gather us with the fathers who served 
Thee faithfully on earth, among the redeemed in Thy heavenly 
kingdom ; and to the Father, Son, and Holj^ Spirit we will 
give all the praise, evermore. Amen. 

Hon. Otis Gary, as President of the day, then introduced 
the literary exercises in the following words : — 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Fellow-Citizens, 
JVatives of Foxhorough and their Descendants, and Former 
Residents of Foxhorough : It gives us great pleasure to meet 
you here to-day on the '' Old Homestead," near the spot where 
our fathers met just one hundred years ago to organize the 
town and choose the first Board of Selectmen. We meet to 
speak and hear of the vast changes and improvements that 
have been made, and to show some specimens of the present 
prosperity and enterprise of the town ; and we bid you a 
hearty welcome to our town and to the festivities of the day. 

We feel honored by the presence of His Excellency Gov- 
ernor Rice, and other members of our State Government ; 
also the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, with many members of l)otli branches of 
past and present legislatures, county and town officers ; with 
many other distinguished men of our own and other States, 



38 FOXBOROUGH CEXTEyyTAL RECORD. 

who are with us to-day, and whose voices we expect to hear 
before we part. To one and all we extend our thanks for 
your attendance and a cordial welcome to this the one hun- 
dredth anniversary of the organization of our town. But it 
is not my province to say more at this time. We believe in 
bringing our young men to the front, and thus to interest them 
early in public atfairs. I therefore will introduce one of Fox- 
borough's young sons, F. H. Williams, who will speak to you 
wonis of welcome, and make the fornuil address. [Ap- 
plause.] 

Mr. WiLLLLMS delivered the folio wina: 

ADDRESS OF WELCOilE. 

On this the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation 
of the town of Foxborough, it is my pleasant duty, in behalf of 
the Committee of Arrangements, to extend to you all the hand 
of greeting and the voice of welcome. Foxborough has just 
arrived at the first centennial milestone of her career as a 
town. What a flood of recollections rushes before the mind ! 
What memories are awakened ! One hundred years ago our 
ancestors, inspired with a desire for the worship of God and 
tjetter educational advantages, took the initial steps which 
secured to us this town, in which we now take so much pride. 
That hundred years now belongs to the past ; the men of that 
time are now dead, and in a hundred years this day will be 
but a single event in history'. What, then, could be more 
fittinsT than that we should ^ther about our firesides, renew 
acquaintanceship, revive old associations, and reanimate our- 
selves with the spirit which actuated our forefathers ? 

Accordingly we are right glad to see you, on this the natal 
day of Foxljorough. We receive you all with open hands and 
warm hearts, and invite you to participate in the pleasures and 
festivities of this occasion. "Ye fathers, with hair bathed in 
molten silver ; ve mothers, with names dearer and holier than 



FOXBOROUGH CESTEySIAL RECORD. 39 

any earthly name ; young men, with vigor crowned, and 
maidens 'foirer than the light,' — one and all, welcome, a 
thousand times welcome I " 

We greet with pleasure His Excellency the Governor of 
this Commonwealth, the Council, and other officers who rep- 
resent the majesty of the State. It is unnecessary to say 
that Foxborough always has stood, and so long as a breath of 
life remains, she always will stand, in the front rank of towns 
in response to every call of State or Country. And the heart 
of every citizen of Foxborough responds with animation to 
that sentiment dear to every loyal son of the Old Bay State, 
" God Save the Commonwealth of ^lassachusetts ! ~ We 
gladly welcome the citizens of the neighboring toAvns, and 
trust that the spirit displayed and the scenes enacted to-day 
will serve to bind us closer in the support of our common 
country. We offer hearty salutations to the citizens of 
Walpole, Wrentham, Stoughton, and Stoughtonham, the 
towns of which we were once a part ; and while we con- 
gratulate ourselves upon our noble origin, yet we feel that, as 
you think of the men who went forth from yoifr borders and 
have built up a town rivalling in spirit and beauty her parent 
towns, — in short, the acknowledged "gem of the county," — 
you can but regard their going forth as an irreparable loss. 

Ye who have gone forth from your native town in the pur- 
suit of wealth and reno^vn, and who now return to your 
paternal hearth, welcome, thrice welcome, to this our home and 
yours I Home I What word in the language can arouse such 
feelings in the human breast ! What magic must that little 
word contain for you who now revisit the scenes of your 
birth and childhood ! May you — not as the prodigal, but 
rejoicing in the favors of a kind Providence, and with a pros- 
perous foitune smiling upon all your undertakings — may 
you ever return to your home in Foxborough as to a 

'• Perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, 
Where no erode surfeit reigns ;" 



40 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

and as you depart to your several callings and duties, may 
this ever be your song : Old Foxborough — 

" Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, 
My heart, untravelled, fondly turns to thee." 

Those of yoM who have become citizens l)y the marriage 
rite, the calls of business or pleasure, we welcome with 
grateful hearts ; for we feel assured that you would certainly 
have chosen Foxborough for your birthplace if your wishes 
had been consulted, and we do not blame you for the un- 
avoidable decrees of fate. 

To our absent friends, wherever located, of whom some 
one has said, though not " with us " they are yet "of us," we 
send cordial greeting. 

Many whom we Avould gladly welcome are standing upon 

" That silent shore, 
Where billows never break nor tempests roar." 

Yet, if it is ever granted to the spirits of the departed to re- 
visit the scenes of their former usefulness and activity, who 
' can doubt but that the shades of all the noble sons of Fox- 
borough are with us to-day as invisible auditors? God 
grant that their memory may ever be revered, and their 
example ever be present to the coming generations ! 

We point with pride, and welcome you to our churches, 
" whose spires point with silent finger to heaven," testifying 
that the motive which prompted our ancestors to found a 
ueAV tt)wn has ever been present to the minds of their de- 
scendants ; and that with our progress in civilization there 
has been a movement toward a corresponding improvement 
in morals and religion, which Southey says is necessary to 
save a peojDle from ruin and destruction. "We point to our 
Memorial Hall, commemorative of those who offered up 
their lives upon the altar of their country that we might live 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 41 

in peace ; Avhere you will also read, upon the " roll of honor," 
the names of those who have answered their country's call 
at every time of danger, and who, in defence of country, 
signified their willingness to take their places beside their 
brothers in gloiy. Fit resting-place for that library whose 
light is diffused through every class of society, and Avhose 
influence as a public educator cannot be told, — "a shrine 
where all the relics of the saints, full of true virtue, and that 
without delusion or imposture, are preserved and reposed." 
We point to our schools, manufactories, public buildings, 
and things innumerable, — evidences, as we believe, of our 
thrift, energy, wealth, refinement, and moral and' intellec- 
tual culture. Children of the public schools, Ave welcome 
you. To you the nation is looking with anxiety and interest ; 
for you, past and present generations have prepared this 
country as a heritage, and upon you must soon devolve the 
duties of citizenship, and of maintaining this government. 
See to it that you are well prepared for those duties. Fel- 
low-citizens, I congi'atulate you in the possession of this 
town, upon the progress you have made in the last century, 
and upon the spirit of local pride and respect for the memory 
of your ancestors which has prompted you to the celebra- 
tion of this day. But we should celebrate this day in vain 
were we to devote ourselves wholly to pleasure, and not 
remember that it should also be a time for sober thought and 
serious reflection. Throu2:hout the leno;th and breadth of 
this land there is an urgent demand for men, not mere pup- 
pets, wafted about like feathers hj every gust of wind ; but 
live, energetic men, endowed with a strong will, a cultivated 
intellect, and a strict regard for right. This demand appeals 
to us with ever-renewed emphasis ; for, as Napoleon said, 
"The man must make the times, and not the times the man." 
There can be no shirking. If we desert our duties, we shall 
be traitors to society and to country. The responsibilities 
are great, and should be well understood. Therefore it be- 



42 FOXBOROUOH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

hooves US to drink in the lessons of the hour, and so conduct 
ourselves that our flag may float far above all others as the 
embodiment of everything that pertains to a civilized and 
prosperous people. Let the progress of the past century be 
an earnest of what is to follow, increased an hundred-fold. 
Let us this day be stimulated to renewed activity and aroused 
to new endeavors in maintaining the institutions we have 
inherited, in fulfilling the sacred trusts which devolve upon 
us, in preserving the fliir name and honor of old Fox- 
borough, and thus add many bright jewels to her already 
brilliant diadem. Grand old Foxborough ! may you ever be 
the admiration of your sons and daughters ; may they never 
by word or deed bring a stain upon your fair escutcheon ; 
but rather may they so live and act as to be not only the 
pride of their native town, but an honor to the country 
whose flag floats over them ; may their names be inscribed 
on Fame's immortal roll as true men and women. As the 
mother of 'such children, your name will descend to poster- 
ity, without the aid of letters, borne by tradition from 
generation to generation. 

The united choirs of all the churches then sang " Gloria," 
from Mozart's 12th Mass, Mr. Albert F. Pettee, leader ; Miss 
Annie M. Johnson, organist. The organ was a powerful 
one, of rich tone, loaned to the town by the Smith Organ 
Co., of Boston. 



THE ACT OF INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN 

was then read' by Robert W. Carpenter, Esq., from an 
original volume of acts and laws, printed in 1778, as 
follows : — 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 43 

In the Year of our LORD, 1778. 

Town of Foxboroiigh. 

ACTS and' LAWS, 
Pafsed by the Great and General Court or Afsembly of 
the State of the Mafsachufetts-Bay., \\\ New- England : 
Begun and lield at Bofton., in the County of Suffolk., 
on Wednefday the Twenty-feventh Day of May., Anno 
Domini, 1778. 

Chap. i. 

An Adl for incorporating certain Lands in the County 
of Suffolk^ formerly belonging to the Town of Dorchef- 
ter., but now to the Towns of Wrenthatn, Walfole., 
StotightoH, and StottghtonhaiJi with the Inhabitants liv- 
ing thereon, into a Town, by the Name of Foxborough. 

Whereas a Niimber of InJtabitants belo?igi?ig to the preamble. 
To-wns of Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughton and Stough- 
tonham, have reprefented to this Court the Inconven- 
iences they labour tinder on account of their Diftance 
frojn the Places of Public Worship in the feveral 
Toxvns to which they now belong., and have earneftly 
attd repeatedly reqjiefted that they may be incorporated 
into a Town : 

Be it therefore enacted by the Couttcil and Houfe o/^partof the 
Reprefentatives in General Court afsembled., and by the Towns of 
Authority of the fame., That fuch Part of the Towns of -yy^jip^ig^ 
Wre?ztham^ Walpole., Stoughton and Stoughtonham.,'?^^ stoughton, 

,,,. , -,, . -r-, 1 . T-,.. and Stough- 

are mcluded m the followmg Bounds, viz. Begmnuig at ^^1^,^^^^^ j^^^ 
the County Line by Skull-meadow., fo called, and from corporated 
thence proceeding in the Range Line that runs over Cow ^^^^^^ ^ 
Hill., until it comes to the Norton Road, and from thence the Name of 
fa traight Line to the Southeaft Corner of Benjamin ^^^'^^' 
Fairbank's Home Lot ; and from thence running North- 
weft and Northeafterly in the Line of faid Fair-bank's 
Farm, until it comes to the Weft End of the Furnace Dam, 
excluding the Furnace Land, and Buildings to Stoughton- 
ham ; and from thence a ftraight Line until it comes, to 
the Bridge by Capt. Elkajiah Billings's., and from thence 



44 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

on the Road Southwardly, until it comes to the Line be- 
tween Capt. Sa^nncl Billings^ and his Son ; thence on the 
Line between them to the Northweft Corner of Capt. 
Sa7}27iel Billings' s Pafture ; thence the fame Courfe in the 
Line of Alajor Samuel Billings's Land, until it comes to 
Col. Royal's Farm, (excluding the Home Lot that was 
Capt. Elkanah Billings's., to remain to the Town of 
Stoughto)iha7n., and the Home Lot of Nathan Clark., 
jun. to be included within the New Incorporation ;) from 
thence on the Line of Col. Royal's Farm, until it comes 
to the Northeaft Corner ; thence on the Northwardly Line 
of faid Farm, until it comes to the Northweft Corner of 
it ; from thence a ftrait Line to Dedham Rock, fo called, 
or Walpole Corner, to the Line of the Land of Thomas 
Alanti ; thence with the Line of the Land of faid Thomas 
Mann., until it comes to a ftrait Line from the Crotchet 
Black Oak Stump, ftanding by the Road leading from 
Sto7ighton to lVrentha77iy which was Do7'cheJ~te7-''s Old 
Line, to Attlebo7'07igh Corner ; thence a ftrait Line to 
faid Attleborough Corner, where it meets with the County 
Line, (excluding and leaving Tho9f7as B7'astovj., with his 
Buildings and Home Place, and alfo fo much of Tho7)7as 
JSIa7Z7i's Land as now joins to his Home Place to remain 
and belong to the Town of W7'enthain., and where it shall 
fo happen that this incorporating Line divides the Land of 
any Perfon living near the fame (fo far as it concerns the 
Inhabitants of Wrenthatn and Foxborotigh^ faid Lands 
shall be held to be Taxed on that Side the Line that the 
Proprietor Dwells,) and from thence turning Eafterly and 
running on faid County Line, until it comes to the firft 
mentioned Bounds, be, and hereby is incorporated into a 
Town, by the Name of Boxbo7-oiigh., and invefted with all 
Powers, Privileges and Immunities that Towns in this 
State do or may enjoy. 
Certain per- And be it jf7i7'ther e7iacted., That Eleaze7' Robbi7is., 
sons s a X)a7iiel Mo7'fe., Elisha jMo7-fe. Widow j\Ia7-y Patte7i. 

remain to »' ' -^ ^ ^ ' 

the Town to David Patte7t, Widow JMa/y Boyden., Soloma7t Mo7-fe., 
which they ij^.i^j^ Athe7-ton, Sa77i7iel Mo7-fe, Jofiah Hodges, Ben- 

now belong. ^ ' ./ ^' o 

ja77ii7i Hodges., yoh7i Eve7-ett., Eliphalet Hodges., Jofiah 
Bla7zcha7-d., Ifaac P/'att., yofeph Pratt., foj'cph Gilbert., 



FOXBOROUGn CENTENNIAL RECORD. 45 

with their Estates, shall remain to the Towns to which 
they now belong ; and all fuch Perfons as are included in 
the aforefaid incorporating Line, which were formerly an- 
nexed to the North Precindl in Norton., now Mansjield., 
to do Duty and receive Privilege, refpecSing Divine Wor- 
ship, shall ftill enjoy the fame, unlefs any of them shall 
choofe to belong to, and join with the Inhabitants of Fox- 
borough for that Purpofe which they shall have Liberty fo 
to do, provided they or any of them give in their Names 
to the Town Clerk of Foxborotigh., any Time within the 
Term of Eighteen Months from the pafsing this a6t, in 
fuch Cafe fuch Perfon or Perfons shall not be held 
to pay Taxes to the Town of Mansjield for the Support 
of a Minifter, but to the Town of Foxborough. 

And be it further enacted., That the Inhabitants of faid 
Town of Foxborough shall pay their Proportion of all 
State, County and Town Taxes already granted to be 
raifed in the feveral Towns refpectively to which they 
lately did belong, and be held to raife their Qiiota of Men 
for the Continental Service, and to pay their Proportion of 
the Charges of Reprefentatives for the Year paft in the 
feveral Towns aforefaid. 

Be it alfo enacted., That the Inhabitants living within 
the Bounds aforefaid, (who are not included in the above 
Exceptions) and who in the late Taxes in the feveral 
Towns aforefaid were rated one Half Part fo much for 
their Eftates and Faculties as for one single Poll, shall be 
taken and holden to be qualified, and be allowed to Vote 
in their Firft Meeting for the Choice of Officers, and fuch 
other Meetings as may be called in faid Town oi FoxborougJi., 
imtil a Valuation of Eftates shall be made by Afsefsors there. 

And be it further enacted.. That Benjamin Guild., Efq ; Benjamin 
be, and he is hereby authorized and required to ifsue his Guild, Esq; 
Warrant to one of the principal Inhabitants of faid Town, caiHn'^the 
authorizing and requiring him to Warn the Inhabitants fii'st '"*^^'- 
qualified as aforefaid, to meet together at fuch Time and 
Place as shall be exprefsed in faid Warrant, to choofe fuch 
Officers as Towns are authorized by Law to Choofe, and 
tranfad: other lawful Matters as shall be exprefsed in fajd 
Warrant. 



46 FOXBOROUGH CEXTEXXIAL RECORD. 

The choirs and audience then joined in singing, to the 
tune of " Old Hundred," three verses of the 



FOXBOROUGH- CENTENNIAL HYMN. 

Bt Miss H. W. Patson. 

(Tune : Old Hundred.) 

Thine are the years, O God ! they stand 
Enriched with mercies from thy hand ! 
Thy works the centuries unroll ! 
Progress, majestic, marks the whole. 

By thee our fathers, hither led, 
Their tents in faith securely spread ; 
Abundance crown 'd their gen'rous toil, 
And strength rose strength 'ning from their soil. 

The hills rejoice, the valleys sing ; 
The bended trees ovations bring; 
Yet midst them all we turn to pray 
For more exalted good to-day : 

That mantled in thy truth we tread, - 
A righteous honor to our dead ; 
And bringing down on those to be 
A benediction, Lord, from thee ! 

So may we build for future time. 
That they may reach a height sublime, 
And ripen in a century's sun. 
Richer for what our hands have done. 

And while beneath thy shadowy hand 
This grandly solemn hour we stand, 
On our bowed heads a blessing pour 
That we shall feel forever more. 



Hon. E, P. Carpenter, Orator of the day, then delivered 
the follotvins: 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 47 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

Mr. President, y^ Governor of 3Iassachusetts, if Honorable 
State Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and 
Fellow- Citizens : — 

The echo of the school boy's declamation of fifty years 
ago — 

" You'd scarce expect one of my age 
To speak in public on the stage," 

comes to me to-day with the same feeling of fear noAv as 
then, only intensified, that I may fail to perform the task 
assigned me. I am convinced from experience that the 
honors of Orator and Chairman of Executive Centennial 
Committees should not be bestowed upon the same indi- 
vidual, and would advise our friends of the next Centen- 
nial to improve upon our programme in this respect. 

The present hour will not permit me to read the Annals 
of Foxborough, which, nevertheless, we hope to preserve in 
permanent form, in connection with the record of this 
memorable day in her history. jNIy present aim is simply 
to tell the story of the origin and growth of the town, 
unaccompanied with minute details. 

Foxborough was incorporated June 10, 1778. The title 
reads, "In the year of our Lord 1778. An Act for incor- 
porating certain lands in the County of Suflblk, formerly 
belonging to the town of Dorchester, but now to the towns 
of Wrentham, AValpole, Stoughton, and Stoughtonham, 
with the inhabitants living thereon, into a town by the name 
of Foxborough." 

The act recites that the lands formerly belonged to Dor- 
chester, but such portion as was previously included within 
the limits of Walpole had never been a part of Dorchester. 

Walpole, incorporated December 10, 1724, had before 
been a part of Dedham, incorporated 1636, which had here- 



4:8 FOXBOROVGH CENTENNIAL BECORD. 

tofore been called "Contentment." But by far the largest 
part of this territory was once Dorchester. 

The original Dorchester, incorporated 1630, — "Mattapan," 
— comprised only the little region between the Neponset 
river, the town of Boston, and the bay ; but in 1636 the 
General Court granted to the Dorchester Plantation the 
" Unquety Grant,'' containing some six thousand acres, from 
the south bank of the Neponset to the top of the Blue Hills, 
from which was carved Milton, incorporated in 1662 ; and in 
the following year the Court annexed to Dorchester the 
"New Grant," so called, being all the territory, not before 
granted, between Dedham and the line of the Plymouth 
colony, about which line there was a dispute long unsettled. 

The southern boundary line of Dorchester was first 
marked in 1664. It was run a^ain bv the aoents of Dor- 
Chester from " Angle Tree," upon the line of Attleborough, 
to "Accord Pond," on the borders of Hingham, Abington, 
and Scituate, " twenty-five and a half miles and twent}" rods." 
This old boundary line was confirmed to Dorchester l\y the 
General Court in 1720. Dorchester then extended from 
Dorchester Point (now South Boston) to within one hun- 
dred and sixty rods of the line of Ehode Island ; about 
thirty-five miles as "y® road goeth." 

The dismemberment began in 1724, when the south-west 
portion of the south precinct was set otf to Wrentham, 
formerly a part of Dedham, incorporated in 1673. The 
petitioners gave for cause, "that they lye thirty miles from 
the old meeting house, and fifteen from the southern meeting 
house of Puncapaug, so that they are under great disadvan- 
tages for attending the public worship there." The part 
thus set ofi* to AVrentham M^as larger, than one-half of the 
present town of Canton. Two } ears later the remainder of 
the "New Grant" was sctofi", and incorporated as Stoughton, 
so called for Gov. William Stoughton, of Dorchester. 
When the question was before the townof Dorchester, thirty- 



FOA'BOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 49 

four voted in favor of the partition, twenty-nine against 
it. 

The first precinct or parish of Stoughton, being the 
northerly portion, was, in 1797, incorporated as Canton. 
Previously, however, i.e., in 1765, the northerly portion of 
the west part of Stoughton, or Massapoag, had been incor- 
porated as a district by the name of Stoughtonham ; and by 
the provisions of the general act of 1775 that district bet-ame 
a town to all intents and purposes. 

In 1783 it became Sharon, Stoughton remaining a town by 
itself. Thus, from Dorchester came Canton, Stoughton, 
and Sharon entire, Foxl)orougli substantially, and a large 
portion of Wrentham. 

When Foxborough, as such, was created, all this territory 
belonged to the County of Sufiblk ; but it was all set ofl' to 
the present County of Norfolk when incorporated, March 26, 
1793. John Shepard was born February 25, 1705, and died 
April 3, 1809, aged 104 years, 1 month, and 6 days. He 
was born in what was then Dorchester, now Foxborough ; 
and a most respectable a^itiquarian has recently once more 
given currency to the story that he had been (through legis- 
lative changes) a resident of three different counties and five 
difterent towns, and yet lived in the same house all the time. 

As we have seen, Foxborough was carved in 17 78 from 
Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughtonham, and Stoughton ; princi- 
pally from the two latter towns. It is natural, therefore, to 
inquire what the conduct of these two towns had been during 
the revolutionary struggle. 

Stoughton had been a little backward in support of the 
Boston Committee of Correspondence in 1773 and the early 
part of 1774, but the County Congress was held at Doty's 
tavern in Stoughton, now Canton, August 16, 1774, and 
Joseph Warren Avas present, and there was no hesitation 
afterwards. The town was represented at the famous County 
Convention at the house of Daniel Vose, in Milton, Septem- 



50 FOA'BOROUGH C EXT EX XI A L RECORD. 

ber 9, 1774, -when Warren saitl, " On the fortitude, on the 
Avisdom, and on the exertions of this ini[)ortant day is sus- 
pended the fate of this new worUl and of unhorn millions." 
Then the " Suflblk Resolves" were unanimously adopted. 

On the 19th of April, npon the "Lexington ahirm," nine 
companies, or four hundred and seventy men, marched from 
Stoughton and Stoughtonham. Among these it is easy to 
distfnguish the Foxborough names. 

July 10, 1775, Stoughton and Stoughtonham assembled 
together, and elected Thomas Crane as their representative 
to the General Court, to be holden at AVatertown, July 19, 
1775. 

Our act of jncoi-poration establishes the territory we have 
been discriminating, " with the inhabitants living thereon," 
"into a town 1)V the name of Foxborough." It is said to be 
the only town of that designation in the world, so that there 
can be no mistake as to our identity. AVhence the name? 
The name itself proves the inhabitants loyal to liberty. 

Charles James Fox, born 1749, son of Lord Holland, in 
Parliament before he was twenty years of age, was already 
an eminent man when, in 1774, he opposed the Boston Port 
Hill and defended the conduct of the colonies. He said, in 
1775, of Lord Xorth, the prime minister of George the 
Third, "The King of Prussia, nay, even Alexander the 
Great, never gained more in one campaign than Lord North 
has lost. He has lost a whole continent." One of Fox's 
biographers says : " During the whole American "war, Mr. 
Fox successively protested against every measure of hos- 
tility directed against the colonies." Of him the Foxborough 
soldiers, who marched in quickstep at the "Lexington 
Alarm." and to Bunker Hill and Dorchester Heights, had 
heard, and, whatever the faults of that famous British states- 
man, no friend of American independence need blush to bear 
his name. 

^lay 22, 1776, the town of Stoughton passed this resolve : 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 51 

"That if the honorable Continental Congress should, for the 
safety of this colony, declare us independent of the King- 
dom of Great Britain, we, the inhabitants, will solemnly 
engage, with our lives and fortunes, to support them in the 
measure." 

But it is not necessary, at this time, to indicate the revo- 
lutionary patriotism of the people of Foxborough. The 
memorial address delivered here May 30, 1877, was partic- 
ularly intended to illustrate the military portion of our his- 
tory, and should be .printed with the record of this day. 
The separate town action, after incorporation, will appear 
from the records. It ma}' not be out of place, however, 
to add here the tradition that Seth Bojden (then eighteen 
years of age), Ebenezer Forest, Samuel Forest, and Oliver 
Pettee (father of Martin Pettee), of Foxborough, were, in 
the last year of the Revolutionary war, taken by a British 
fleet while cruising on an American privateer, and were 
thrown into the prison-ship at New York, whence they were 
released at the close of the war. Of Abijah Pratt, who was 
afterwards a lieutenant in his company, his descendants re- 
late that, enlisting as an undersized lad of sixteen, he stood 
on tiptoe behind the other recruits in an agony lest he should 
fail to pass the military inspection. 

But who were the inhalntants incorporated? How many 
were there of them? Whence did thev come, and how lono- 
had the}' been here? These questions are not easily an- 
swered, because the town records contain no list. A dis- 
tinguished antiquarian has furnished a list of those males of 
sixteen years and upwards, supposed to have resided on the 
Foxborough territory January 1, 1777, collated by him 
from an original schedule, prepared at that time by Mr. 
Hill, one of the Selectmen of Stouofhtonham. It is su»>-- 
gested that there may not have been so many residents ; but 
it is thought useful to preserve the list, in all, one hundred 
and six in number : — 



52 



FOXIi on (> I'd U CENT EN MA A li ECORD. 



"January 17, 1777 

Nchcmiah Curpciilcr, in fiimily 

Jacob Cook, 

Josiali Robbins, " 

Jacob liciiard, 

J()8('[)b Wood, 

John Coraey, 

John Sumner, 

Job Willi.s, 

Zclmlon Dean, 

WmIow Elizabeth Payn, 

Wm. Payson, y" lirst, " 

Spencer Ilod.n'i's, 

Thomas Kiehardson, " 

John Richardson, 

l):miel Robeson, 

Selh Rol>eson, 

Joseph Payn, 

Wilhani Payn, 2d, 

,Jacol) Payn, 

John Payn, 

III " 

LtMii. Payn, 

KU'a/.er Peh-her, 

elosiaii Planchard, 

David While, 

Samuel liaU^mi, 

Joseph Tilhey, 

David Forrest, 

Wni. Chirk, 

FJiJMh Mors, 

Joseph Rhodes, 

Nathaniel Clark, " 

Major Samuel Uillinjis, 

Josiah Farringlt)n, 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



53 



Ebenezer Billings, in family 








3 


Levi Morse, ' 










1 


Ebenezer Hill, ' 










3 


Elijah Billings, 










2 


David AVood, ' 










3 


Tim Clap, 










1 


Ezekiel Pierce, ' 










1 


Jethro Wood, ' 










1 


Capt. Xat. Morse, * 










2 


John Smith, ' 










1 


Lem. Lyon, ' 










2 


Lieut. Ezra Morse, ' 










2 


Wm. Billings, ' 










1 


AA'm ' 










3 


Z Uriah Atherton, ' 










1 


Wm. Clapp, 










1 


Wm. Comey, ' 










. 2 


Capt. Israil Smith, ' 










1 


Beriah Billings, ' 










. 1 


Jeremiah Rhodes, ' 










. 1 


Jonathan Billings, 2d, ' 










1 


Jonathan Billings. ' 










. 3 


John Basset, ' 










1 


Wm. Wright, 










1 


Samuel Bradshaw, ' 










2 


David Wilkeson, * 










. 1 


Thomas Poir^e, ' 










. 1 


Joseph Rhodes, ' 










1 


Stephen Cobb, ♦ 










. 3 


Ephraira Shepard, ' 










1 


Nathan Clark, 










2 



lOt) 



Man}' of the residents upon the present territory of Fox- 



54 FOXBOROUGH CESTEXyiAL RECORD. 

borough, previous to 1778, are knoAYu, and their places of 
residence cau be identified. 

In 1713 the proprietors of the outlying lands in Dorchester 
were incorporated into a distinct body from the town, and 
were henceforth called, " The Proprietors of the Undivided 
Lands " This body held its meetings until after 1770, and 
from it the title to much of the lauds in Foxborough was 
derived. 

Previous to either of these dates, however, i.e., about 1G69 
and 1(570, there was laid out to AVilliam Hudson two tracts of 
laud adjoining each other, containing live hundred acres, an- 
nexed from Dorchester to Wrentham in 1824, but now in 
Foxborough, and known as " Shepard's Farm." "William 
Hudson conveyed the tract to "Thomas Platts, of Boston, 
butcher," Oct. 21, 1(576, in consideration of £275, "the 
same situate, lying, and being in the wilderness, between 
Dedham and Seaconet, commonly called or known by the 
name of 'Wading River Farm.'" Under the will of Thomas 
Platts, probated Aug. 8, 1692, the farm passed to his son 
Thomas Platts, of Boston, victualler, wlio l)y deed dated 
July 1 1, 1704, conveyed it to "Jacob Shepard, late of ^Mystic 
(now Medford), but now of Wading River, planter." Thus 
Jacob Shepard was certainly here in the wilderness in 1704, 
and, so far as any known record, nuist have been the lirst set- 
tler of Foxborough ; and if I were one of the audience, a 
citizen of Foxborough, and not orator, I should propose and 
give three cheers to the memory of Jacob Shkpard, the 
FIRST Settlek of Foxbouougii ; for if he had half the 
trouble in discovering his place of settlement that I have had 
in establishing the fact that he was the pioneer settler, he 
nuist have been endowed with a large share of perseverance 
and })atience. 

In 1718 his widow administered upon his estate, inven- 
toried at £1,339 19.S-. (5r/., and in 1727 partition of the lands 
was mad*' between the w idow, Mi-rcv, John, Tluunas, Joseph. 



FOXBOROUGH CEXTEXXIAL RECORD. 55 

and Benjamin. His son John is the patriarch John, before 
spoken of as born here in 1705. and possibly, nay probably, 
"vviis the iirst white-l)orn child of Foxborough. The cellar is 
still to be seen over which that honse stood. 

Afterwards, Timothy ^lorse, of Walpole, bought of Ed- 
ward and Samuel Capen three hundred acres of land, late 
in Dorchester, luit then in Stonghton. — the south-easterly 
end of the forty-seventh lot in the twenty-tifth division. 
This must have been subsequent to 172<). Timothy sold to 
his son Timothy, in 1749, who became a settler. A portion 
of this land is now owned by Jarius ^lorse. The name of 
Timothy ^lorse. Jr., appears in the tax list of 1742 ; that of 
Eleazer Bobbins, from Walpole. appears in the same list. 
Bobbins owned about one thousand acres of Avhat is now 
called East Foxborough. He had three daughters. One of 
them married one Dr. Winslow, from Freetown ; another mar- 
ried Abijah Pratt, of Foxborough (to whom we have alluded) : 
and the third married Kingsbury, the great-grandfather of 
our present worthy citizen, Joseph A. Kingsbury. Bobbins' 
house stood nearly opposite of the present Kingsbury home- 
stead. Of Dr. Shadrach Winslow, one of our former 
worthy townsmen, now nearly eighty-six years of age, 
writes, '' He was a man of marked mind, and was probably 
the most scientilic individual who ever resided in the town of 
Foxborough. After graduating at Yale Colleae, and re- 
ceiving the best medical education the country could afford, 
about 1778 he embarked as surgeon on board a privateer, 
made several trips successfully : but was at length taken 
prisoner and carried to England and confined in Dartmoor 
prison for several months, where, by exposure, he sustained 
injuries which greatly impaired his health, and from which 
he never recovered. His profound knowledge of his pro- 
fession led him to despise quackery in all its forms, and to 
which he never descended. He became a citizen of Fox- 
borough about the vear 1781. Xotwithstandinir his talents 



56 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

and high attainments he declined all participation in govern- 
mental affairs, not accepting even a town office. He loved 
retirement. Books were his companions and friends. He 
was social and courteous to all his friends. He was a Gentle- 
man in the full sense of the word." 

The Morses and Boydens came from JSIedfield ; the Capens 
from Dorchester, now Stoughton ; the Belchers from Stough- 
tonham, now Sharon ; the Everetts from Dedham ; the 
Carpenters from Rehoboth. 

Seth Boy den's name appears in the tax list of 1742. He was 
the ancestor of all the Foxborough Boydens. The record 
shows that he bought a tract of some two hundred and forty 
acres (now what is known as the Amos and Seth Boyden es- 
tate), about 1738. Ebenezer Warren, the brother of Gen. 
Joseph Warren, removed here about 1779, from Roxbury, 
where he was born in 1749. A son of Gen. Warren, visiting his 
uncle, died, and Avas buried in the old burj'ing-ground ; but 
his remains were removed, some years since, in a most un- 
ceremonious, not to say uncivilized, manner, in a raisin-box 
for a casket. Ebenezer Warren was a staunch patriot and 
true man, and always a leading citizen, but of obstinate and 
unyielding temper. He was its delegate to the State conven- 
tion which adopted the Federal Constitution, the magistrate 
of the infjint town, and was for man}' years a judge of the 
County Courts. The old mansion house is now owned and 
occupied by one of his grandsons here present. The Clarks, 
Everetts, Bakers, Carpenters, Pratts, Pettees, and Belchers, 
settled here after 1750. 

In 1776 the annual town meeting of Stoughtonham was 
held March 11. Of those then elected to the town offices, the 
folloAving became, two years after, citizens of Foxborough, 
viz. : Ebenezer Hill, Selectman ; Nathaniel Clark, of the 
Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety ; Ne- 
hemiah Carpenter, Constable, as he was for many years in 
this town ; Jonathan Billings, 2d, Surveyor of Ways. Seth 



FOXBOROVGH CEXTEXXIAL RECORD. 57 

Boyden was Collector for the second ministerial precinct in 
Stoughton in 1750, as appears from the rate-book, now in 
the hands of his descendants. That precinct included the 
present Stoughton, Sharon, and a large part of Foxborough. 

They also have " the records of the proprietors of a lot of 
land, being y® forty-tifth lot in y^ twent^'-five divisions of land 
(so called), lying, and being in y*' Township of Dorchester, 
and now in y° Township of Stoughton, in y^ County of Suf- 
folk ; and is held in common by the said proprietors, — Be- 
gun the tenth day of April, 1739." This record was kept 
by Seth Boyden, as the "Proprietors' Clerk." This lot was 
parth' in the present Sharon, and partly in Foxborough, and 
contained the iron-ore bed, worked so long. The sixth 
article in the warrant, issued March 4, 1738, by Jonathan 
Ware, Esq., of AVrentham, is, "to determine in what man- 
ner y° Iron oar and stream in s"^ land shall be divided or 
disposed of." Capt. Preserved Capen was moderator of the 
first two meetings, held respectively at the house of Mrs. 
Mary Billings, widow of Beriah Billings, innholder, and 
Capt. Samuel Billings. Both Beriah and Capt. Billings 
lived in what now is Foxborough. It was voted that the 
iron "oar," then or thereafter found, should be reserved to 
the use of all the proprietors, according to their interest ; 
each of whom might between the last Tuesday in August 
and October " dige oar annually, and at no other time of the 
year." 

" The Brook or Stream " was also reserved for the use of 
the proprietors "to build a mill and dam on, provided they 
do not raise such a head of water as to float the adjacent 
lands or meadows, at any other time of the year than be- 
tween y« first day of October and the 20th day of April, an- 
nually." And in the same custody we find a bond of Nathan 
Clark, Jr., "Bloomer" (or maker of ironblooms), and Na- 
thaniel Clark, " Cordwinder " (cordwainer or shoemaker), for 
£100, dated Dec. 20, 1760, and conditioned upon draining off 



58 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

"their forge pond, by Jioy sting the gates hy the first day of 
May, so long as it is improved for a forge pond." Nathan 
Clark and Nathaniel Clark (the Stoughtonham Connnittee 
man of 1776) lived on what after became Foxborough terri- 
tory, and the sureties named in the bond were Elkanah Bill- 
ings (one of the proprietors), Josiah Morse, and El>enezer 
Hill, Foxborough men. The said forty-tifth lot of land con- 
tained 437 acres, of which 232^ acres were set off to Seth 
Boyden, with an additional allowance for " bad land," in the 
whole probably nearly 270 acres. By this record of the last 
meeting of the proprietors, held Sept. 12, 1757, it appeared 
that Daniel Bacon had " duge and carried oil", without leave, 
seventeen tuns seventeen hundred and fifty pounds of iron 
oar, and Michael Woodcock nine tuns and fourteen hundred 
of iron oar, without proper leave." By Boyden's account he 
received 75 tons of ore as his proportion in the years 1740 to 
1755, inclusive. 

It was at this forge and from this iron ore that the first 
cannon were cast for the war of " '76," by one Uriah Ather- 
ton ; and the " grog ciqjs " used on the occasion are now in 
the hands of one of his descendants. This honor is claimed 
by Bridgewater ; but there is a well-authenticated tradition 
that the " Bridgewater folks " came here to learn the trade, 
and proved themselves ready apprentices. A cannon ball 
cast by Atherton at this forge is deposited in Memorial Hall. 

Boyden was a man of intelligence, and held a full share of 
ofiices in Stoughton before the incorporation of Foxborough, 
as the ancient papers we have to-day would show. Among 
them is a warrant addressed by the Selectmen of Stoughton, 
April 25, 1768, to Seth Boyden, directing him "to take care 
of and award the wages, ' viz. : "All y*' roads lying in that 
part of Stoughton called Kobinses Corner" (i.e., Robbins), 
as the part of Foxborough where Boyden lived appears to 
have been then called. He was to give the highway tax- 
payer the profi'er of doing their proportions, etc., etc., in 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 59 

labor at "£0 2s. 4(Z. a clay for a man, and £0 4s. 8cZ. a day 
for a man and yoke of oxen and cart." 

Amos Boy den was early a surveyor in Foxborough, as ap- 
pears from a warrant addressed to him in the second year of 
incorporation (^.e., 1779), directing him " to take and award 
all y'^ highways or roads in your squardren," etc., etc. Also, 
" all y® other roads belonging to y*^ town of Foxborough in 
that part that of late belonged to Stoughton." 

The expense of the school in " Eobinses Corner " is shown 
by the following receipts. It was, perhaps, as burdensome to 
our fathers proportionally as to us ; but we find no record of 
complaint for what are called "public burdens." 

The Town of Stoughton to Seth Boy den, Dr., March, 1772. 
By Cash paid to Jeremiali Fisher for keeping School in 
Robinses Corner six weeks the sum of thirty-six shil- 
lings £ s d 

1 16 
To boarding sd School Master two weeks in February 
and March, 1772, at five shillings and four pence per 
week ten shillings and eight jjence, 10 8 



2 6 8 
Stoughton, July je 10, 1772. 

Per me, SETH BOYDEN. 
The schoolmaster's wages were six shillings a week. 

Sept first 1773 
Received of Seth Boyden fifteen Shillings for Keeping School in 
Stoughton five weeks in July and August in the year 1773 Rec^ by me 

LYDIA MORSE. 

Lydia received three shillings a week. Judging by the 
name, she was of the neighborhood talent, and boarded "to 
hum." 

But the paper, of which I now read a copy, suggests a 
query as to the delinquency of the usually correct Seth Boy- 
den, as well as the other signers : — 



60 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Stoughton Jan 6 1757 
We the subscribers promise and oblige om*selves to Eleazer Robins 
to bear our Equal part and Proj^ortion Either in Money or Labour to- 
wards fencing in of our Burying Place sometime between this and the 
sixth day of June next. As witness our hands 

Seth Boyden, Timotity Morse, 

his 

Daniel Morse, Josiah X Hodges, 

mark 

John Forrest, Jr., John Sumner, 

John Comee, John Pattin, 

Elisha Patridge, Soloman Morse. 

This paper is in the handwriting of Seth Boyden, and 
either he or some other interested party has written at the 
foot of it, wdiat is true, " This paper is of no account ; " for 
after one hundred and twenty-one years, nothing has yet 
been done in pursuance of this pu])Hc-spirited agreement as 
to this burying-place ; and in the name of tlie people of 
Foxborough I call upon the well-to-do descendants of the 
signers to redeem the good faith of their ancestors by some 
useful memorial. 

According to the list, wdiich has before been given at 
length, there were, at the time of incorporation, sixty-four 
families, containing 106 male inhabitants, sixteen years of 
age and upwards, in that portion of Stoughtonham which 
became Foxborough. This makes no account of the inhabi- 
tants living upon the lands of Wrentham, Walpole, and 
Stoughton, incorporated with those of Stoughtonham. The 
names of quite a number have been named of those who, 
before incorporation, dwelt upon the lands of Stoughton 
and Wrentham. 

In 1765, Stoughton, including the present Stoughton, 
Sharon, Canton, and all of Fpxborough [except such por- 
tions as once belonged to Wrentham and Walpole], con- 
tained a pojiulation of 2,295, and 567 male inhabitants, 
sixteen years and upwards, or almost exactly one in four of 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 61 

the whole. In 1777, Stoughton contained 532 males, six- 
teen years and upwards ; Stoughtonham, 300. In 1778, 
Stoughton had 504 polls in valuation ; Stoughtonham, 209, 
and Foxborough (now appearing in census for the first 
time) had 113. Stoughton and Stoughtonham had each 
lost to Foxborough, and all three had doubtless lost by the 
ravages of the war. 

According to the proportion of Stoughton and Stoughton- 
ham, the population of Foxborough, at its incorporation, 
must have been about 450. In 1781, it had 133 polls, and 
had perhaps nearly 550 inhabitants. In 17i)0, the census 
gave the town a population of 640 ; in 1800, 779 ; in 1810, 
870; in 1820, 1,004; in 1830, 1,168; in 1840, 1,494; in 
1850, 1,880; in 1860, 2,879; in 1875, 3,168. At a town 
meeting held November 11, 1832, a committee, appointed 
to consider the expediency of building a town-house, re- 
ported that " the whole number of voters are supposed not to 
fall much short of 200, and we may confidently anticipate 
that at no distant • period that number will actually attend 
town meetings." The expectations of the committee were 
more than realized November 9, 1840, when, under the 
stimulus of the "Log Cabin Campaign," the town polled 252 
votes ; but that number was not again reached for years. In 
1875 the population of Foxborough was 3,168, and its polls 
numbered 695. It has, therefore, increased about seven- 
fold since its incorporation, in these respects. The soil of 
the lands set otf as Foxborough, better known as " Foxbery " 
at that time, was not rich or productive ; and the people Avho 
dwelt upon them were poor also, and rather looked doAvn 
upon by their wealthier neighbors of Walpole, W'rentham, 
Sharon, and Mansfield. In 1781 the State tax of the town 
was less than that of any town in Suffolk County save Hull. 

In 1796 its State tax was the smallest paid by any of the 
towns in Norfolk County ; in 1810 the smallest except that 
of Dover ; in 1820 the smallest except that of Dover and 



62 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Stoughtou [the mother town] : and in 1830 the smallest, 
still excepting Dover. 

In 187 G there were twenty-four towns in Norfolk County ; 
of these, fourteen towns had a greater valuation than Fox- 
borough, nine had a less valuation. In amount of taxable 
property it surpassed its neighbors of Sharon, Walpole, 
Mansfield, and AVrentham. In population it is the twelfth 
town of Norfolk County. Of the first settlers of Foxborough 
as a town, John Everett was a blacksmith, Aaron Everett a 
carpenter, Joseph Everett, a tanner and currier and a glove- 
maker. One citizen made hats and another stamped calico. 

Swift Payson was the first town clerk, 1778 and 1779. 
He was son of the Kev. Phillips Payson, pastor of Walpole, 
one of the eleven candidates voted for, in 1729, for minister 
of the Church in Dorchester. The good parson established 
his son as a farmer in Foxborough. This Swift Payson was 
a humorous, whimsical, but kindly character. Passionately 
fond of music, his first accumulations, as a boy, were devoted 
to the purchase of a violin. Horrified at the sound of the 
instrument, accidentally heard after a long concealment, the 
father cried, ''Where did you get that fiiddle?" — "I bought 
it, sir," was the apparently innocent reply. " Then sell it at 
the first opportunity ; let me never hear it again." Shortly 
the Ministerial Association met with Mr. Payson, to whom, 
sitting in the parlor, demurely entered the lad with his 
violin. " Gentlemen, would either of you like a first-rate 
fiddle ? My father says I may sell it, and I thought it only 
right to give you the first chance." It is to be hoped the 
boy's wit saved his fiddle. It may have done good service 
in Foxljorongh, for tradition says our people, in the midst of 
hardship and privation, Avere yet gay and pleasure-loving, 
and "often danced on sanded floors to the scraping of the 
cat-gut ; " and the discovery of red ears at huskings was the 
same then as now, and I think I hear some of these gray 
heads say, "Oh, that history would repeat itself!" Joseph 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 63 

Hewes lived in tlie house afterwards occupied by Col. 
Heniy Hobart, well remembered as one of the strongest and 
most reliable citizens of Foxboroiigh. Joseph Hewes 
practised medicine, and removed to Providence, K.I., where 
he accumulated considerable property. 

John Everett, the blacksmith, lived in a large house, 
sheltered by two fine old trees, an elm and a white wood 
tree. Upon a limb of the last he hung a tavern sign which 
welcomed the wayfarer. The place is now owned by Mr. 
Luther Grover. 

Joseph Comey was the village shoemaker ; Simon Pettee 
was a gunsmith; Stephen Pettee, a farmer; William Pettee, 
a laborer and a famous singer ; Benjamin Pettee lived in 
what is known as Daniel Carpenter's " old house ; " Forrest, 
Guild, and Jedecliah Morse lived in what is now called " New 
State." David Stratton, the Shepards, Sherman, and ClatHin 
(another shoemaker), lived in the southern part of the town. 

On the great road from Worcester to Taunton lived 
Grover, Shaw, the Paines, Seth Robinson, Ebenezer Warren, 
Spencer Hodges. On the road leading to Mansfield 
(through East Foxboro', or "Robbinses Corner," before the 
roads through Witch Woods or over Robinson Hill was laid 
out) lived Robins, Kingsbury, Pratt, Bird, Comey, Sumner, 
and Leonard families. Near Sharon lived the Boyden, Clap, 
and Clark families. 

Near the north-east corner of the town lived Elcazer 
Belcher, who cultivated a farm, made potash, and kept a 
little store. Before Belcher, however, Joseph Rhoades, 
living a' mile from any other person, kept a store in his corn 
barn. The Morses lived near Swift Payson, on the road to 
Walpole, or what is and was one hundred and twenty-five or 
one hundred and fifty years ago called '' Crack Rock." Another 
branch of the family lived at Robinses corner. At the Centre 
were Leonard, Cook, Jeremy Hartshorn, Sanniel Baker, 
and Nehemiali Carpenter. 



64 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

It is said that the okl Deacon Baker House, alias Bird 
House, has sheltered six generations, and always k)3'al except 
in one instance. The old Ironside Patriots, Baker and Bel- 
cher, who lived there at the time of the tea tax, declared " Tea 
shall not be drank in this house ;" but Mrs. Belcher's taste for 
the cup was stronger than her patriotism, and, detailing her 
daughter as guard at the door, she would indulge in a " sij) " 
of tea in the absence of her liege lord. The disloyal cup 
still exists, but in the hands of loyal subjects. 

Moseley was a deserter from an English man-of-war, who 
hid himself in Foxborough, where, long after, his Avife joined 
him. He bought a piece of land of Samuel Mann, in the 
dense woods, for which he paid four dollars. On it he built a 
log cabin with one room and loft reached l)y a ladder. 
Afterwards a rude shelter was put up for cow and pig. 
Near by was a never-failing spring. A flat rock was the 
door-sill, upon which played successively eleven daughters, 
some of whom became mothers of highly respectable families. 
Roses long grew spontaneously where the rude home of the 
sailor fus^itive had been. 

Francis (or Francois) Daniels was a Frenchman, from 
Normandy ; a Protestant, deeply religious. He came to 
Boston as a " stow-away," and was advertised and sold for 
one hundred dollars to pay his passage. He was purchased 
by John Hewes and brought to this town, and not only re- 
deemed himself from servitude, but poverty, l>y his industry 
and perseverance, breaking up quite a large farm with the 
rudest implements ; the farm is now owned by one of his 
descendants, and his blood flows in the veins of many of us. 
You can see here to-day his sabots, or wooden shoes, that he 
wore when he came to this town. 

The first school-house in the town was not more than 
tourteen feet square. There were on one side three seats, 
running the whole length of the building, except a space at 
each end to enter. There was an entry just large enough 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. (j^ 

for the door to open and shut without injury to the children. 
The room was lighted by three windows, one on each of three 
sides, each containing twelve panes of small glass, (j X 8 
inches. There never was such an. article as a desk for the 
teacher. Private kindness furnished a small table, with a 
single drawer, and a comfortless chair. 

A male teacher kept the Avinter school, and was expected 
to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, with something of 
English grammar ; but the female teacher of the summer 
school was allowed to dispense with the latter of the ''three 
R's." But she must understand how to knit and sew, for the 
accomplishments of young ladies in that age were the markino- 
of linen, making thread lace, and embroidering muslin. 

All the people west of Foxborough Centre sent their chil 
dren to this school-house, which was always full. The children 
wore coarse homespun cloth, stout leather shoes, and yarn 
stockings, and the girls had striped shawls pinned beneath 
the chin. For, as has been said before, the Foxborough 
people at that early day were very poor, and money was ex- 
ceedingly scarce. The women spun w^ool and flax, and wove 
cloth. When the good dame had a few yards of linen, or 
some spare sheets, she took them to the calico artisan, who 
stamped them with bright colors for dresses. 

Carriages were very rare in the country towns. In 1753 
a tax was imposed upon them, for the purpose of encouraging 
the linen manufacture. In 1757 there were six carriao-es iu 
Stoughton ; but it may be doubted whether either of these 
was owned in that part of Stoughton which was incorporated 
in Foxborough. Two women often rode on the back of one 
horse, wdiich they caught, saddled, bridled, and mounted at 
the horse-block, without masculine assistance. 

The simplicity and rude fashion of living one hundred 
years ago gave to our fathers 

"An undergoing spirit to bear up 
Against whatever ensued." 



66 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

The act of incorporation has been read, and it has doubt- 
less been noticed that the motive recited by the Legishiture 
for passing it is substantially as that passed fifty-two years 
before by the ancestors of some of them, for Ijeing set off 
from Dorchester to Wrentham : — 

"Whereas, a number of inhabitants belonging to the towns of 
Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughton, and Stoughtonham, have represented 
to this Court the inconveniences they labor under on account of their 
distances from their places of publick worship in the towns to which 
they now belong, and have earnestly and repeatedly requested that they 
may be incorporated into a town, be it therefore," etc., etc. 

The controlling suggestion then was the inconvenience of 
the petitioners in attending "publick worship." Probably 
some of them lived at least ten or twelve miles from the 
meeting-house, the stated services of which the law com- 
pelled them to support, and which alone they had a right to 
attend, save l)y a courtesy, then rarely expected or extended ; 
for it must not be forgotten that until lb33 all tax-payers 
were compelled by law to support public worship in the 
towns Avhere they resided. In that town and no other did 
they pay, or could they pay, for preaching. There and 
nowhere else had they a right of property therein, or felt 
themselves at home. There was no skrinkage of creed to 
till the pews. To transport the large family of those days 
over such roads as then were, twenty or twenty-five miles, 
to meeting and home again, was, indeed, a Sabbath day's 
journey. It was an intolerable grievance. It was so great 
a grievance in the Foxborough case that the earnest and re- 
peated request must have been effectual long before probably, 
but for a reason about to be given. It appears that as early 
as 1757 the royal policy was adopted of opposing the incor- 
poration of new towns, because thus the size of the House of 
Ilepresentatives was increased, — a body that was generally 
hostile to the king's prerogative ; and so, when absolute 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. G7 

necessity seemed to require n new organization, it was con- 
ferred in the shape of a "district" instead of a township, 
Avithout the right of representation, as in the case of 
Stoughtonham, in 1765, and Mansfield, in 1770. Hence, if 
Massacliusetts had remained a province, the Governor would 
have been reluctant to organize Foxborough as a district, and 
pretty certainly would not have assented to its incorporation 
as a town. Its people were uninfluential, poor, and patriotic. 
They were such 

" As dare to love their country and be poor." 

After the expulsion of the Royal Governor there was, of 
course, no longer any objection of a similar character to the 
incorporation of towns. 

But the years 1775-G and 7 were busy and crowded years, 
full of labors and terrors, for both people and legislature, 
and in this way it probably happened that Foxborough was 
not made a town till 1778. 

It was not customary, certainly, to incorporate a town or 
district until it was clearly in a situation to provide "publick 
worship " for itself. 

In almost every such case its capacity to that end had been 
previously tested as a precinct or pai-ish. Foxborough had 
not been a precinct, but it had a meeting-house, or an apology 
for one, supposed to have been erected as early as 1763 ; 
perhaps about the commencement of the effort for separate 
organization. 

Nchemiah Carpenter and Jei-emy Hartshorn gave the land 
for a common, on which to build the church, and fbr a bury- 
ing-ground. 

It was centrally located, but was covered with rocks, shrub- 
oaks and bushes, with a few sterling oaks, that should have 
been spared. The building was spacious enough, but the 
people were too poor to finish it. At the first town meeting 



68 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

it was voted " to choose a committee of three persons to 
provide for the laying the floor and making the doors of the 
meeting-house, and to provide for the glazing so many of 
the windows as the committee shall see fit." 

It had been used for religious services without doors or 
windows, as a mere shelter from the storm. It was better 
than worshipping on the naked hills or under the shrub-oaks. 
It was many years before the ceiling or walls were jjlastered, 
or the most ambitious thought of painting it. It grcAv dark 
with exposure, and seen on the plain by the traveller, from 
north or south, it looked like a black cloud. 

" What house is that ? " asked a stranger. " It is the Lord's 
house," answered the citizen. "Ah, I thought it was the 
Lord's barn," retorted the irreverent stranger. 

All the town meetings were held in the meeting-house, as 
was customary ; indeed, everywhere the town was the parish, 
and immediately took upon itself (as indeed the law obliged 
it) the care and expense of providing for "publick worship." 
The meeting-house was, for many years, the only public 
building in the town, and scarcely any town meeting occurred 
in which there was not something done about it. " Pew 
spots," i.e., flooring upon which to erect pews, were many 
times sold to obtain money for necessary repairs or improve- 
ments, as (March 2, 1791)) "will purchase stuff" enough to 
finish of y'' meeting-house," No committee on public 
buildings ever had more thought or care. Plans of improve- 
ments were submitted ; pews were constructed in the gal- 
leries ; a porch was built on one side, and long after on the 
other side. "The town voted to sell the two hinder seats on 
the floor at publick vendue." The town chose a committee 
to seat the singers in the meeting-house. In 1788 it was 
voted that " Serviors clear the bushes from around the meet- 
ing-house, and allow the men the same price for their labor 
as they worked on the highway." Aaron Everett got six- 
pence half-penny per square, in 1790, for mending the 



FOXBOROUGIT CENTENNIAL RECORD. 69 

windows. In the same year leave was granted to build horse- 
sheds ; and, long after, to erect a horse block " the fore side of 
the meeting-house, they defending the same ; " and so on, 
again and again. Clearly the town thought it owned the 
meeting-house ; and perhaps, legally, it did, as well as the 
land under it. But the town had not originally built the 
building, as it was erected before any town was incorporated. 
In 1821, Rev. Thomas Williams, being about to leave the 
society, offered it $500 (the amount of his original settle- 
ment) if it would erect a new meeting-house. The offer was 
at once accepted hj a bare majority. 

The work of tearing down the old building began the 
next morning by volunteers, amid wild excitement, and 
denunciation by some. 

Dec. 22, 1821, the Selectmen, by their warrant, warned 
the town to assemble at their meeting-house on jNIonday, the 
4th day of January, 1822, "to see," among other things, 
"if the town will repair their meeting-house, or do or act 
anything relative to the premises." The record of this town 
meeting mournfully conniiences : "Pursuant to the foregoing 
warrant the town assembled on the spot where the meeting- 
house stood. Voted, to direct their treasurer not to pros- 
ecute any person or persons on account of the parish taking 
down their meeting-house." 

The town's " meeting-house " had disappeared, and they 
certainly never had any other. They were not permitted to 
use the new brick meeting-house, built in 1822, and taken 
down in 1855 or 1856, and for many years a place was hired 
for the transaction of the town's business. 

A hundred years ago the minister was the most important 
and influential person in a New England town. Foxborongh 
was not fortunate. A strong pastor would have given 
stability to the people and been a natural leader, in temporal 
as well as spiritual things. Rev. Mr. Biitt supplied the 
pulpit, perhaps before as well as after the incorporation, and 



70 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

for many years the town chose a committee to procure 
preachers. Several clergymen declined overtures for settle- 
ment, apparently on account of a want of harmony in the 
proceedings. Rev. Mr. Kendall was ordained in 1786, with 
great unanimity, and dismissed with greater unanimity in 
1800. Then the Rev. Daniel Loring was called by the cast- 
ing vote of old John Shepard, when near one hundred years 
of age, and in two years dismissed, serious disaffection 
having meanwhile occurred. The only useful and successful 
man among the early ministers was Rev. Thomas Williams, 
before alluded to, who came from Providence to Foxborough. 
Church psalmody made the usual dissension in Foxborough, 
and the peace-loving Mr. Williams found it necessary to 
employ the diplomacy of a Talleyrand in introducing music 
to the choir. 

The first bass-viol was manufactured by Marcus Everett, as 
to the wood-work, and finished by George Holbrook, a bell- 
maker by trade, and a famous music teacher. It cost four dol- 
lars, and was an excellent instrument. When it was brought 
into the choir the old Frenchman, Francis Daniels, was 
horrified. In vain did some learned in Scriptures reason. 
There might be biblical authority for the harp, and even the 
viol, but certainly none for the bass-viol ; and the onl}' com- 
promise attainable was that he should quit the church when 
the profane performance began and return when it was over. 

The first intruding denomination was the Baptist, next the 
Universalist, and lastly the Catholic. 

The first Baptist meeting-house was located near the 
entrance of the road to "Witch Woods," and the house no^v 
occupied by Ashaol Dean was the parsonage. It was re- 
moved early in May, 1843, to the site of the present town 
hall or house, and enlarged and otherwise improved. When 
their present church was built it was sold at auction, and 
was converted into a box manufactory, Avhich was destroyed 
some two years since by fire. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 71 

The Catholics are now building their third house of wor- 
ship, the others having been destroyed by fire. 

In the early part of the century the Foxborough Female 
Benevolent Society, afterwards the Ladies' Charitable Society, 
was established, and became the source of much good. Dues 
were paid either in money or straw braid. 

Want of time forbids us to dwell, as had been intended, 
upon the original bounds of Foxborough, as fixed in the incor- 
porating act ; or to speak of the disputes which afterwards 
arose about them and their settlement, or of the changes 
which have been made by legislative enactment. 
• The same reason prevents our dwelling upon the school 
districts and school-houses, with the gradual improvement in 
education. 

After some years George Stratton became owner of the 
iron foundry. He also kept a store at Foxborough Centre, 
and his son kept the tavern, once conducted by Benjamin 
Comey. From Stratton the foundry passed into the hands 
of General Leach, of Easton, and at his death to those of 
Martin Torrey and Otis Cary. 

In the first years of its organization, being the last of the 
war, the town sufiered severely from the State and conti- 
nental charges and burdens. Papers in the Massachusetts 
archives show that the town was more than once relieved 
from excessive and disproportionate rates and quotas. Like 
other towns, it in vain attempted to regulate the "price of 
things," constantly rising with the depreciation of the cur- 
rency. To show how great that depreciation was, we need 
only give one or two illustrations. In 1780, the town voted 
£4,068, or more than $20,000, for mending the highways and 
bridges, paying some $60 per day for labor. In 1776 it 
voted $1,100 for highways and bridges. In 1780 the State 
tax of Foxborough was £16,411, or more than $80,000. 
Sept. 4, 1780, the town voted to raise £21,000, or more 
than $100,000; but afterwards reduced the amount to 



72 FOXBOROnill CENTENNIAL HKCOIW. 

Xlt;.()(»0. Oct. 1>. \\>(c(l (*) K'vv i'l. ■),()!)() to procure lu-cf on 
« rciinisitioii tor the armv, ainl to ilotVay other town charu'es. 
\\\\{ tlic following year tlu're was an atti^mpt to resume specie 
payments, t'or it was voted to raist^ "100 Spanish miHe<l 
(h)Mars for highways." 

The truth is, tht> (h>preciation was s\\v\\ that a hundriHl pa[)er 
(U)llars wert> worth ahout oni' th)nar in specie. 

For three ditleri-nt years the town trt'asurcr of Hon-hes- 
ter paid out ihoiisaiuls nu>re than \w i-ecei\i>d, — so vapid was 
th(Mh>w niall of curriMu-y. May IS, 1 7Sl, the town ti'i>asurer 
owed Foxhorongh l'l.'),l)7lt. In 17S2 the rate oi Fleazer 
Fish(>r was remitttul ; rate IT 1*4 10s., silv(>r rate £0 lis. -Id. 
It w ill not l»e alteiupti'd at this linu' t(» produce much from 
tht^ town vt'cords. A futile a(tcm|tl was niaile as early as 
1782 to support preaching by vi)lnntary contributions : 
" Voted, To havt^ contributions every Sunday after divine ser- 
vici> is o\er, to [tay miuisti>rs." The plan has otten failed 
sincc\ 

There was t'ri>i|uent legislation against crows and black- 
birds. Thert> was a t*>w!A defaulti'r as early as 1785, and to 
settle the ilefalcatiou tlu> town took a farm ami tradeil the 
same for i)reai'hing. In ITi'l the Selectnu'ii were voted a 
I'onnnittet^ to open a subscription t'or the relit>f of sutt'erers 
by tiri> in tlu^ t*>wii ^^( l»oston. As will be obsm'ved. Fox- 
borough early adopted many })opular measures. In 171KS the 
town voted 'To allow ttl> eents for eight hours' \vork, and $1.33 
t'or eight hours' Avork of a man and a team sutHeient to earry 
a ti)n weight." This was an eight-hour law . April (!, 1801, 
" I o/*^(/. To admit tlu' use of iustruuieuts o( nnisic in public 
worship." 

In 1803 it was " Voted, Mot to let the swine nm at 
large," but the pigs had intluenee enough to proi-ure a 
reeonsideraliou of this Ac>te, and ran at large sometime 
longtu". 

In 1801, '■ Voted, That the Selectmen vendue Lenuiel 



FOXBOBOUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 73 

White and wife, two of the town's poor, or snpport them the 
best way they can devise." 

May 5, 1804, " Voted, to purchase a hearse." The town 
had already l)ouo;ht "a i>-rave cloth," and it was soon voted 
to build a "lierse house," to be under the care of the Select- 
men, and March 2, 1812, voted to paint the "horse house." 

Jan. 9, 1826, " Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to 
remove Daniel Dassance, as soon as convenient, from the 
House of Correction, at Dedham, and build a cage and 
place it within his mother's house, and him the said Dassance 
therein, under the care of the Selectmen." 

Dassance was a poor, insane person, whom the town was 
treating according to the custom or necessity of the time, 
who w^as afterwards provided for in the hospital at Wor- 
cester. 

May 3, 1830, " Voted, That in our opinion the wearing oi 
mourning apparel ought to be discontinued." 

Jan. 7, 1833, " Voted, The towni express their cordial 
approbation of the sentiments contained in President Jack- 
son's Proclamation." 

Hard drinking was almost universal when Foxborough was 
incorporated. Hum raised a meeting-house or a barn, or 
built a bridge. Every employer furnished it ; every W'Ork- 
man drank it. The only mechanical interest was the iron 
foundry. It w^as a densely-wooded region, and the great 
specie-raising industry was charcoal-making. It was said 
that " the only export was charcoal, but that the imports 
were threefold, molasses, codfish, and J^ew England rum. 
Kuin fell upon the best men in the town, and the town itself. 
Distress was universal. The straw manufticture, then in its 
infancy, somewhat mitigated suffering ; for by its aid the 
mother and little children, whom the husband and father had 
abandoned, w^ere enabled often to keep the " wolf from the 
door." 

Rev. Mr. Williams, Melatiah Everett, Esq., and Stephen 



74 FOXBOROUGll CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Rhodes, are entitled to great credit, not only because they 
clearly appreciated the necessity of reform, but had the 
courage to undertake it against discouragement and tierce 
opposition. The movement to suppress intemperance began 
in 1817, much earlier than in most cases, and was trium- 
phant. Rum had conquered New England ; but the manli- 
ness of her people overthrew the tyrant, as it is to be hoped 
it will yet again. 

Perhaps increasing prosperity had much to do, also, with 
the improved tone and increased self-respect of the people of 
Foxborough. 

We have just alluded to the straw manufacture, of which 
it is now possible to speak onh" in the briefest manner. The 
honor of being the first American manufacturer of straw 
bonnets is ascribed to Betsey Metcalf, of Providence, R.T., 
who imitated an imported Dunstable. She then was a girl 
of twelve years ; but, as Mrs. Baker, she afterwards carried 
on the business, at first as a monopolist, but soon Avith com- 
petitors. It is said that Eunice, daughter of Aaron Everett, 
made the first bonnet in Foxborough. Soon after, Sally Mann 
made one. The straw was at first cut with a pair of scissors. 

Straw bonnets soon became common in Foxborough and 
Wrentham, where Amariah Hall, who kept store, took them, 
paying in goods. Cornelius Metcalf, coming to Foxborough, 
married Hepsebeth Sumner, and bought the place formerly 
occupied by the first minister, Mr. Kendall. Mrs. Metcalf 
had great skill in making the straw bonnets. She adopted 
several children, took apprentices and carried on the business 
in a small way. Metcalf Everett first made straw goods for 
the New York market. Elias Nason then kept a store, pay- 
ing for straw goods partly cash and partly in other goods. 
Nehemiah Carpenter was afterwards associated with Nason in 
this business. Daniels Carpenter and John Corey afterwards 
separately manufactured straw goods on a much larger scale, 
paying cash for labor. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 75 

John Corey, who owned this spot of ground and lived in 
yonder house, was h)st in the l)urning of the steamer Lexing- 
ton, on Long Island Sound, in the winter of 1840. 

Edson Carpenter and Milton, JohnE., and Henry H. Sum- 
ner, sons of John Sumner, afterwards carried on stores, where 
straw braid and bonnets were received in payment for goods. 

The Sumner brothers, under the firm of J. E. Sumner 
& Co., also manufactured largely of straw goods, and sold 
imported stock to smaller manufacturers. 

Dr. Gardner Peck, formerly a successful physician in Fox- 
borough, engaged in the manufacture. Thus gradually the 
business grew and developed, until, in 1844, Oliver, Warren, 
and E. P. Carpenter, as associates in business, built what 
then Avas considered a marvel of a straw factory, or Avorks. 

It was what is now the "Verandah House," used as a 
boarding-house. The business increased rapidly, and after 
several additions and alterations the first works Avere found 
altoofether too limited, and in 1853 the Union StraAv Works 
were established ; but the growth of the business made it 
necessary to enlarge its limits, which Avas done in 1856. The 
business increased from $75,000 in 1844, to nearly the amount 
of $2,000,000 in 18G5. Foxborough has made, through its 
straw business, a name that in many foreign places is known 
better than the City of Boston itself. 

Certainly to this business Foxborough is indebted for her 
modern prosperity. 

The day we celebrate is the Centennial Anniversary of the 
29th of June, 1778, Avhen the inhabitants of Foxborough 
first assembled in toAvn meeting, in pursuance of the Avarrant 
issued by Benjamin Guild, a magistrate of Wrentham, at the 
request of Benjamin Pettee, Swift Payson, Xehemiak Car- 
penter, Jacob Cook, Jacob Leonard, Amos Morse, and 
Samuel Baker. Josiah Pratt Avas moderator of the meeting ; 
Swift Payson, clerk; Josiah Pratt, John Everett, Benjamin 
Pettee, Daniel Robinson, and Joseph Shepard were chosen 



76 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Selectmen ; Nehemiah Carpenter was chosen treasurer, and 
eTohn Comee, constable. They " Voted to adjourn the meet- 
ing for one hour and a half, then met " and chose live sur-4 
veyors of highways, three for a committee of correspondence, 
five assessors, two tythingmen, two fence viewers, two field 
drivers, one sealer of leather, two hog reeves, — a full com- 
plement of town ofiicers. 

The 29th of June, 1778, was a period of gloom and 
doubt in the revolutionary struggle. But our immediate 
ancestors were ready to play their part like men. In 1780 
they said, in their petition to the General Court, "We are 
willing to sacrifice our all in the common cause, if it should 
be necessary." On this day, comparatively so bright and 
prosperous, may we, the descendants of those ha^i'dy sires, 
pledge our vows of devotion to the nation they created for us 
and our posterity. 

So, only, can they hail as a " smiling morn,"' the second 
Centennial of Foxborough I 

After the oration had been delivered, by invitation of Wm. 
T. Cook, Esq., Gov. Rice, Councillors Ilarwood, Haynes, 
Childs, and Tweed, Asst. Adj. -Gen. Kingsbury, Judge-Ad- 
vocate Gen. W. W. Blackmar, and Messrs. Tower, Hutch- 
ings, Rice, and Lj^nian, of the Governor's staff, were taken 
in carriages and driven to High Lawn Stock Farm, the sum- 
mer residence of Mr. Cook, situated about a mile north of 
the village, where they were handsomely entertained for a 
short time. 

At the close of the oration the choir sang "America," 
after which the procession re-formed and marched to the 
Common to assist in the unveiling and dedication of the 
Centennial Memorial. 

This Memorial Rock is a boulder of granite in its natural 
state, weighing from four to five tons, and inscribed on a 
panel, "1778, Centennial Memorial, 1878." It is located 



FOXBOROuan centennial record. 77 

near the flag-staff and upon the site of the old meeting- 
house. 

At this point, the vast multitude having assembled, prayer 
was oflTered by Rev. Q. H. Shimn, and Kev. W. II. Spencer 
delivered the folio wiu"" 



MEMORIAL ADDRESS. 

We meet to day, my friends, for an ol)ject of no ordinary 
interest. Day by day our paths cross in this beautiful 
Common, as we go to and fro on errands of business or 
pleasure ; but to-day a common impulse brings us hither, 
unlike any that ever impelled us before. Hitherto we have, 
been unconsciously making our history ; to-day we pause to 
contemplate the record, and, in the midst of our Centennial 
celebration, to set up a Memorial. 

We lay claim to nothing new or original in the idea of a 
memorial rock. From the earliest times men have sought 
to perpetuate the memory of their deeds, and to mark off 
the events of their history, by raising monuments of some 
kind, from the rude cairn which Joshua erected in Gilgal, 
to commemorate the passage of the Jordan by the tribes of 
Israel, to the granite needle on yonder hill in Charlestown, 
which will remind future generations of the struii'^rle for 
liberty, which gave renown to the name of Bunker Hill. In 
imitation, then, of a custom which is sanctioned by antiquity, 
and by more recent usage as well, we set up, to-day, a 
memorial rock to tell its story to the generations which shall 
come after us. 

But what story has it to tell? When your children ask 
their fathers in time to come, saying, "What mean ye by 
this stone ? " what shall the answer be ? This question carries 
us back to the days of old. It revives the memories of a 
time long past, more than a hundred years ago, when the 
spot where we now stand was known as the Dark Swamp, 



78 FOXBOROUGir CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

named from the dense shadows made by the oaks and pineg 
of the forest primeval ; when most of the land now occupied 
by this village was covered with shrub-oaks, and when, 
throughout the town, the sun only here aud there looked 
down upon clearings, which showed the signs of man's 
improving toil ; when men were few and the land was 
stubborn. 

In the simple annals of those times we meet with one fact 
of prime significance : The people that settled this region 
feared God, and among their first necessities was the need 
, of a suitable place for public worship. Hither, then, while 
they were yet a feeble band, they came, and, levelling with 
their axes the tall trees that grew on this spot, they built 
their rude temple to Jehovah. That ancient structure was 
not a model of church architecture. More like a big barn 
it looked than like a house of God. And yet we doubt not 
that its bare rafters echoed praises as sincere, and words of 
instruction as true, as the groined arches of cathedral or 
abbey ever did. Its shingled sides grew darker every year 
with weather-stains, but men's hopes grew brighter and 
clearer as they gave heed to the message of life, which was 
proclaimed from the lofty pulpit within. 

We know how large a place his religious thoughts and 
afiections held in the mind of the New England settler. 
They were bound up with his instinct of freedom ; they 
shaped his politics. His first concern was for liberty; his 
next aim Avas to secure the blessings of religion ; and he 
considered these two ol)jects as not only in harmony with 
each other, but as necessary to each other. The same build- 
ing served for town-hall and meeting-house ; and thus the 
meeting-house represented the New England community in 
its intensest life and its noblest aspirations. If, then, we 
are to select a spot for a memorial, with an eye to fitness 
and real significance, we shall seek for that place which the 
people first hallowed by their approaches to God, where 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 79 

they met as common subjects of a King whom all desired to 
reverence. 

It has been found impossible to identify the exact locality 
of that ancient building, on account of the great changes 
that have taken place in the surface and the surroundings of 
this Common. But, from a comparison of the opinions of 
old men Avho saw it demolished fifty-six years ago last 
winter, it has been decided that the spot marked by this 
rock cannot be many feet from some portion of the old 
meeting-house, if, indeed, it does not mark the very spot 
where the pulpit stood. 

Here, then, we raise our memorial. It commemorates 
no battle-tield, no thrilling exploit of pioneer colonist, but 
simply the peaceful beginnings of the life of a community 
rooted in Christianity. This is our first mile-stone. And as 
we look backward over a hundred years, and upward to Him 
who has brought us forward on our way, a well-remembered 
strain of an ancient Psalm of Life comes to mind, — "A 
thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday, when it is 
past, and as a watch in the night." 

A word or two about this rock. It was brought from the 
locality known as High liock, from the woods west of the 
old stone building in Happy Hollow. It lays no claim to 
beauty. It is designed to serve as the simplest possible 
memorial of an age of simple tastes and manners, and of 
our humlile but solid beginnings. And if it shall remind 
any one of the old-time roughness of this Common, when 
it was encumbered with huge boulders, so much the better. 
As soon as the record of this clay's proceedings shall be 
completed, they, with other papers, will be deposited under- 
neath this memorial stone, there to repose until the men of 
1978 shall bring them again to the light of day. 

Here, then, let this rock remain for a memorial of the 
growth of this town, and of the devolopment of its material 
resources. Here the seed of the village was planted. 



80 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Around this centre the slow but solid growth went on. 
Forests vanished, and dwellings sprung up around this 
sacred spot ; and as the tide of prosperity swelled, it left 
its marks here. Rocks were dug out and the rough places 
were made smooth ; old trees were felled and the shrubs 
cleared away ; until to-day we look upon a scene that iitly 
answers to the happy changes that a century has wrought in 
the physical comfort and prosperity of the town. 

Let this rock remain as a memorial of the simple virtues 
which wrought the changes and improvements that we see. 
There was solid worth of character in the days of old. 
There were straightforward honesty and unbending prin- 
ciple. Men and women believed in living on the fruits of 
their own industry, and within their means ; and, therefore, 
their growth and prosperity were as sure as God's ordi- 
nance of the seasons. 

Let this rock stand for a memorial of the sure and abid- 
ing hopes that sustained the pious hearts of the generations 
past. For fifty-nine years this spot was holy ground. 
Hither, every Sabbath, from near and far, through the 
woods and over the crooked roads, on foot and on horseback, 
single and double, in plain and rustic garb, came your grand- 
sires and grandmothers, to listen to the word of God ; and 
here they heard of the only sure fcnrnflation of human hopes ; 
here they wxu-e told of a treasure that never faileth ; here 
they were taught to look for a better country. Well may 
we set up a stone for a memorial, as once of old the patriarch 
Jacob did, saying, "Surely, the Lord was in this place." 

We have referred to the changes that a century has 
Avrought ; but Avho can forecast the changes that shall be 
witnessed during the hundred years to come ? What will 
remain a century hence of all that meets our eyes to-day ? 
What structures will look down upon this green sward? 
What kind of church edifices will lift their spires heavenward 
in the 'places where these now stand? What manner of 



fir 









FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 81 

people will gather to celebrate their bi-centennial ? What 
will they think and say of us that clay? 

It is vain for us to seek to lift the veil ; but it rests with 
us, in no small degree, to say whether that distant genera- 
tion shall carry on worthily the work begun by the fathers 
in the Dark Swamp. It is for us to transmit to them the 
legacy, wdiich we enjoy, of the hardy virtues, simple tastes, 
sound principles, and exalted faith of the fathers, leaving 
behind their faults and errors. AVhether or not that noonday 
sun, a century hence, shall look down upon a free and united 
people, building on the foundations cemented by the blood 
and tears of a heroic ancestry, we know not; but we know 
that much will depend upon how we build. Little can we 
imagine what shall be the great political issues a hundred years 
to come ; but the greater issues of life are ever the same, 
and our great-grandchildren will be dealing, as we are, with 
the mysteries of human existence and the great moral issues, 
which never change. 

We greet you, children of a distant future. Across the 
century we extend to you the hand of fellowship and con- 
gratulation. Yours will be an enviable lot. Every day the 
earth is yielding up her treasures to the magical touch of 
science. Fresh discoveries and inventions are ever multiply- 
ing the sources of enjoyment and of good on every hand. 
Purer morals and a sounder philosophy, based on a better 
apprehension of the Divine Revelation, will make life richer 
and nobler in your time. For we — 

" Doubt not through tlie ages one increasing purpose runs, 

And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns." 

May it, indeed, be yours to witness the nearer glories of 
the day of universal peace on earth and good-will towards 
men. 

The choirs then joined in singing the following 



82 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

HYMN. 
By Miss H. W. Payson. 

(Tune: Russian National Air.) 
Pause we here in solemn gladness, 

Turning back the leaves of time, 
Listening to the fathers' voices, — 

Voices, like their deeds, sublime ! 

See we there the uncut forest ; 

See the stealthy savage creep; 
See the smoke ! the rush of armies ! 

See the doomed aroused from sleep ! 

Look ! the fearless men have silenced 
Savage shout and British gun ! 

God has helped our valiant fathers ! 
Freedom's darkest work is done ! 

Praise Him in tliis open temple ! 

Praise Him in the homes He gave ! 
He oppression's arm hath broken. 

He alone our land can save. 



Those holding tickets then returned to the tents for their 
dinner. 



THE COLLATION 
was provided under the tents for about thirty-three hundred 
persons, — about one hundred more than the number given 
in the last census as the population of the town, — and is 
deserving of more than passing notice, on account of its 
novelty and excellence. Provision was made for each 
person by placing on the table in front of them neat boxes 
of heavy Manilla paper, three inches deep, four inches Avide, 
and six or eight inches long, each containing one Japanese 
napkin, four ounces pressed meat, ham, tongue, or corned 
beef, neatly enveloped in tissue paper ; three French rolls, 
one large doughnut, one slice fruit cake, two slices plain 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 83 

cake, two seed-cakes, two macaroons, one piece of meat-pie, 
and one piece of apple-pie ; for drink, there Avas furnished 
hot tea, liot and iced cofl'ee and ice water. 

The school children were provided with dinners, upon the 
same plan, in the Samaritan Tent, which had been pitched 
for their accommodation near the southerly end of the large 
tent. 

Rev. W. II. Alden, D.D., of Portsmouth, N.H., asked 
Divine blessing, as follows : — 

Our Heavenl}'' Father, we recognize Thee as our Creator, 
Preserver, Benefactor, and Friend ; we recognize Thy hand 
in all the blessings that we enjoy, — social and intellectual, 
civil and religious. For the supreme blessings falling upon 
us through the century, we thank Thee. We thank Thee 
for this pleasant occasion which brings us around this social 
board to renew the recollections of our earlier years ; culti- 
vate that sympathy for each other which will leave us in a 
band of l)rotherhood, and encourage us in the pursuit of 
whatsoever things are lovely and of good report. And, 
now, be pleased to command Thy blessing to rest upon us 
as we surround these tables ladened with the bounties of 
Thy providence. Add to this blessing of Thy providence 
the richer blessing of Thy grace, and grant that we, in enjoy- 
ing and participating in this entertainment in Thine earthly 
kingdom, may be prepared to enjoy and participate* in the 
higher, richer, and more delightful entertainment in Thy 
heavenly kingdom. We ask it, for Christ's sake. Amen. 



THE AFTER-DINNER EXERCISES 

were opened by the Foxboro' Brass Band, which played 
the "Fluer d'Alsace Waltz," and were immediately followed 



84 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

by the poet of the day, Rev. J. T. Pettee, of West Meriden, 
Conn., M^ho delivered 

THE CENTENNIAL POEM. 

To Him Avho inspires the Psalmist's lay, 
A thousand years are but a day ; 
The centuries, gliding from His hand. 
Are smaller than the grains of sand 
Which form the ocean-bounding shore, 
To Him who lives for evermore. 

To mortal man how long appears 
The cycle of a Hundred years ; 
How slow the Centuries seem to raoye. 
As if by Heaven designed to prove 
That human life is but a span — 
That God is God, and man is man. 

All who behold its morning ray 
The flying century bears away ; 
Of all who see its evening close 
Not one on whom its morn arose ; 
A fragment 's all that man can claim 
Of any century for his name. 

'Tis wisdom, then, with joy to crown 
The First Centennial of our town ; 
With booming guns to usher in 
What we shall ne'er behold again ; 
With speech and song and music sweet 
Go out the Century to meet — 
Salute the Second in His name. 
Whose love the First, and all, proclaim. 

A Hundred years ago to-day 
Our fathers fought in deadly fray ; 
Three years of freedom's war were gone, 
' When they became a corp'rate town. 

The year of Seventeen Seventy-Eight 
Was pregnant with the nation's fate ; 
, Events momentous crowd its page ; 

A few our passing fhoughts engage. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 85 

The Frenchman, from his lofty throne, 
Our nation's Independence owned; 
The mighty Pitt succumbed to years, 
The proudest of the British peers ; 
At first our friend, at last our foe, 
His dying speech was big with woe. 
The sun of Seventy-Eight looked down 
Upon the fight of many a town ; 
It saw the British army fly 
From Philadelphia's frowning sky ; 
And 'neath our suffering army's tread 
The snows of Valley Forge grow red ; 
And to the year we sadly sing 
Belongs the tale of Wyoming. 

One Hundred years this very morn. 
Our army waited, weary, worn 
With Monmouth's bitter, bloody fray, 
The coming of the eventful day, 
To join anew the doubtful fight, 
And prove the patriot yeoman's might ; 
But, under cover of the night. 
The British foe makes good his flight. 
Or else the Twenty-Ninth of June, 
Which saw the birtli of this fair town. 
Had seen a battle which had stood 
The reddest on the rolls of blood. 

Our fathers, on that peaceful morn. 
When first they met our town to form, 
In thought and speech could they ignore 
The battle of the day before ? 

Bless you, my hearers ; in that day 
The battle-field was far away, — 
Three hundred miles ! a month before 
Its thrilling tidings reached their door ; 
No light'ning flashed it o'er the wires ; 
No steamer bore it in its fires ; 
No stage-coach e'en — or mail-bag — no. 
We sing a Hundred Years Ago. 

When our good sires convened that morn, 
To mark the birth of Foxb'rough town, 



86 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

If their discourse was on the war, 
It ran on battles fought before : 
On Bcnninj^ton and Brandywine, 
On Trenton, Brooklyn, and tJie time 
When Warren fell on Bunker Ilill ; 
'Kound these their mem'ries linger still; 
Nor the bold fights forget so soon, 
Of Concord and of Lexington. 

Back to that day — that summer morn — 
The Twent3'-Ninth of leafy June, 
From hill and valley, farm and hill. 
From Crackrock, Shackstand, Quaker Hill, 
From Foxb'rough Furnace, Witches' Wood, 
From where the ancient school-house stood ; 
From High Rock and the Devil's Den, 
. Through wood and cornfield, brake and fen, 
Fording where'er the Muniford gleams, 
Neponset or Cocasset steams, 
W^e meet the fathers, coming down 
To organize the new-made town. 

No coach or carriage in that day ; 
Our fathers walked their weary way, 
Or rode on horseback — bare at that, 
Unless their meal-bags served as seat. 
No silk hats glistened in the sun. 
But honest broad-rims round them run ; 
Or cocked hats, handsome then and now. 
Adorned our fathers' maidy brow. 

No " boughten broadcloth" clothed our sires, 

But homespun, woven by their fires ; 

Wide flowing vests, and breeches tight, 

And buckles sparkling in the light; 

The flowing wig, or braided cue. 

Exposed their noble heads to view. 

And nobler heads are seldom seen 

Than those then worn by Foxb'rougli men. 

No Town Hall, with its bell-shaped dome, 
Received the voters from their home ; 
The Meeting House, its outer door, 
Ope'd to receive them, and no more ; 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 87 

Its inner doors had not been made, 
Its oaken floor had not been laid, 
And window-glass, we learn, as yet, 
Within its sash had not been set, — 

The Meeting House, owned by the town, 
And built before the town was born, 
Which stood where now the Boulder lies, 
Presenting front to eastern skies. 
And porches to the north and soiith, 
•■ To galleries leading ; for the youth. 
And for our townsmen, then too poor 
To build upon its oaken floor. 

Old oaken church of blackened wood ! 

I love the spot on which it stood : 

I love, by aid of ancient dame. 

To plan, and draw, and seat the same ; 

Its square box pews, the deacon's seat, 

Tlie benches where the broad aisles meet; 

Its towering desk, and sounding-board 

To emphasize the sacred word. 

One sounding-board, on rod suspense, 

Increased the sound, if not the sense ; 

Anothered answered from the wall, 

^nd echoed to the preacher's call ; 

The last from earth, the first from heaven, 

Were we to wicked rhyming given ; 

So, viewing matters all around, 

The Foxb'rough Church was doubly sound. 

No organ thundered from the choir ; 

No fiddle ever trifled there ; 

A " big fid" once was borne a spell. 

But nameless brother did rebel ; 

Soon as the horse-hair scraped a string, 

Before the choir the psalm could sing. 

The good man left the portals wide. 

Yet all its music heard outside ; 

For, soon as fiddler dropped his bow, 

He sought again his godly pew. 

" How could he know," the people said, 

" Unless outside he heard it played? " 

And " Why have been a lesser sin 

To hear without than hear within? " 



88 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

And here I love, on Sabbath morn, 
To see the gatliering people come ; 
The children barefoot, shoes in hand, 
Until within its shade they stand ; 
The maidens, in red cloaks and hoods. 
The matrons riding 'hind their lords ; 
And here, in stately, square-box pews, 
To hear the word, or tell the news ; 
While, in the costume of those days, 
A Kendall or a Skelton prays ; 
Nor does it much his reverence move 
To know that powder'' s stored above : 
The church is safe from shock abrupt — 
It may blow down; it can't blow up. 

When this old church succumbs to years, 
What reverence for the law ajipears, — 
Which leaves the warrant of the town, 
But tears the ancient structure down ! 

Those, who the sacred pile would spare, 
Said to themselves, " They will not dare 
To tear a legal warrant down. 
Defiant of the State and Town ; " 
And so, without a moment lost. 
They nailed their warrant to the post. 
Behold our sires' respect for law ! 
Around that post they cut and saw — 
The timbers crash, the rafters fall — 
Destruction reigns from roof to wall ; 
And when Destruction's work is done. 
Behold the door-post stands alone ; 
The warrant, rescued, flaunts the skies, 
The church around in ruin lies. 

Outside the church we take a look, 
By bushes bounded and shrub-oak. 
What these odd looking things we see? 
This post? these stocks? a mystery! 
Let Lightfoot, Thrasher, such, explain : 
They both have felt the wholesome pain 
These mysteries give to thieves intent, 
On miser's mischief meanly bent : 
Thrasher was thrashed, and Lightfoot, he 
Of nimble foot no more could be. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 89 

Here they convened, on Monday morn, 
Upon that Twenty-ninth of June, 
And reverend lips did here call down 
God's richest blessing on the town, 
And prayed for those Aviio, far away, 
Were fighting, on that burning day. 
Then chose they men affairs to guide ; 
Imposed a tax, funds to provide ; 
And, to their credit be it said. 
Among the very first they laid. 
Was one the Gospel to maintain, 
And finish off their church so plain. 

Then Education claimed their care. 

Free as tlieir own New England air ; 

Obedient to th' New England rule, 

Next to the Church the Common School. 

That rule observed has given renown 

To many a fair New England town ; 

That rule relaxed has brought disgrace 

On many a poor neglected place. 

To Foxb'rough's credit be it said 

Most cheerful is the school-tax paid, — 

A fact to which we largely owe 

All that this century can show. 

Nor need the stranger be surprised 

At that which meets his wondering eyes : 

At population, business, thrift, 

The wid'ning current, deep'ning drift, — 

All flowing from that golden rule. 

The Church is first, and next the School. 

Upon the records of that year 
Honored ancestral names appear ; 
And most the names their pages give 
The same that still in Foxb'rough live ; 
And none to-day more worthy are 
Than lineal heirs of Carpenter ; 
And of these heirs no man we see, 
Who stands above Erastus P. 
May names like these our souls inspire 
To raise the ancestral standard higher, 
And may we never blush to own 
A name ancestral of this town. 



90 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

" What's in a name?" Mucli, every way, 
When virtue leaves it every day, 
Exlialing fragrance every hour, 
Like perfume from the sweetest flower. 



Such was the name our fathers chose, 

To christen their fresh-opened rose — 

Of Charles James Fox ! than which, no name 

Shines brighter on the rolls of fame ; 

From first to last our steadfast friend. 

Loving, he loved us to the end. 

ntt faltered in the trying hour ; 

Nay, pressed us with his dying power ; 

But Fox, unfaltering to the last, 

Maintained the die that had been cast ; 

Proclaimed America should be 

By right and independence free. 

Well did our sires to choose this name; 

Well do their sons to love the same ; 

And, from that bright, encircling zone, 

Where patriots bend before the throne, 

Well may the soul of Fox look down — 

His monument is this fair town. 



But what a dull, prosaic town ! 

How bare of rascals and renown ! 

Your humble rhymer pardon craves 

That little Eomance to him cleaves. 

The fault 's your own, you should have had 

More of the tragic and the bad ; 

A Revolutionary fight, — 

At least a skirmish in the night : 

By Indians have been scalped or burned ; 

A duel or murder might have turned 

From prose to verse my humble rhymes. 

And lighted iip my sombre lines. 

Had you but thought, you might produce 

Some first-rate rascals for my use ; 

A first-class scandal 'mong the ton 

Would let the inspiration on : 

This you refuse, and I plod on. 

As best I may, with steady town ; 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 91 

With nothing better to infuse 

The inspiration in my muse 

Than steady growth, increasing weaUh, 

Peace, plent}^ joyfulness, and liealtli ; 

Improving streets, and smiling iiclds. 

And all the joy that culture yields ; * 

Churches and schools and busy press, 

Banlis, shops, and stores — Oh, what a mess, 

My lofty genius to inspire, 

And set a poet's soul on fire ! 

"But Witches' Woods, and Devil's Den, 

And haunted houses, may be seen." 

To this I humbly make reply, 

(And here all the proofs opposed defy), 

In Witches' Woods I should get lost : 
The poet is afraid of ghosts ; 
And I'm not of that class of men 
Who take much stock in Devil's Den. 

But, pleasantry aside, my friends, 
Our state to-day makes all amends. 
Happy the nation, blessed the town. 
Whose peaceful hist'ry lacks renown : 
While poem and hist'ry are composed 
Of wrongs inflicted, rights abused. 
To that fair town may we belong. 
Which has no history and no song. 

In tliis and most New England towns. 

Some place, where verdant rural clowns 

Once dug for gold, here Foolish Hill, 

Is shown as their memorial still. 

But, if the truth must here be told, 

All of our fathers dug for gold ; 

They tilled the earth, and from its soil 

Derived the wages of their toil : 

They dug for iron, and many a bed 

Supplied for them its oxide red. 

North, South, and East, the furnace roared, 

Richer than gold its metal poured ; 

And thus we see in times of old 

How all our fathers dug for gold, 



92 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

And, in the products of the earth, 
How all our industries had Ijirth ; 
On solid base, it may be said. 
Our present industry is laid. 

* But great the change, we now behold. 

Between the ways of digging gold : 
From iron to straw the step seems long, 
But soon is taken in my song. 

You know, kind friends, 'tis sometimes said. 

That Foxb'rough 's wholly run to braid. 

The taunt we hear, " All run to straw; 

There's but a single thing you do." 

To this, our answer to prepare, 

The fable note of -ffisop's hare. 

The foolish hare, as fable goes. 

Taunted a lioness in her throes, 

Because at birth but one she bore. 

While she, vain puss, had half a score. 

The noble beast, with flashing eye, 

Thus to the hare made quick reply : 

" True, at the birth I bear but one. 

But that a lion ! " then be done 

With taunts and jeers of envious men. 

Because no other Works are seen : 

We'll never blush but one to draw, 

While that one is The Union Straw. 

Perfect, complete, the Union stands, 
With all its busy heads and hands ; 
By process wondrous, sending forth. 
To East and West, and South and North, 
Hats in which kings might well appear, 
And qiieens themselves delight to wear. 
Hydraulic presses give them shape, 
Whether of Leghorn or of tape. 
While maiden hands their forms complete, 
Machine the bindings and the sweats ; 
Ambitious thus to send away 
Their fifteen thousand every day. 

While roaming through your " Southern Branch, 
I thought me in a cattle-ranch. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 93 

For there a process met my eye, 

At which the bellowing herd might cry 

As wanton outrage of their right, 

And show their horns and hoofs in fight. 

The " linen leather" met my view, 

And " heels " all formed to pattern true ; 

In view of which, I know you feel. 

You've got the whole " from head to heel." 

" Be candidate, and put it on, 
And set a head on headless Eome :" 
Thus Shakespeare saith ; but you instead 
Have put a hat on every head ; 
From block to block the hat has gone, 
The one of flesh, the other stone ; 
The only wonder is to know 
Where all the hats and bonnets go. 

" No watered stock," the townsmen say. 

And yet 'tis watered every day ; 

"No pressure from the bank or street," 

Tremendous pressure on the hats ; 

Water in every hat, that's plain. 

And yet no water on the brain ; 

" No cooked accounts," yet all well Cooked, 

For highest excellency booked ; 

And well supplied with volumes rare. 

Enough to make a student stare ; 

With men enough to man a State, 

And girls enough these men to mate, 

Cultured, refined, intelligent, 

On labor and on study bent ; 

The beautiful and true combined. 

In healthful body, vig'rous mind. 

Interpreters of Labor's law — 

All honor to the Union Straw ! 

And honor to those earnest men, 
Writers and printers, who have been 
At pains and labor to prepare 
A paper for our weekly fare. 
The printing press more powerful is, 
Than those hydraulic mysteries. 
Which give the shape to tape and straw. 
And lines of grace and beauty draw : 



94 FOXDOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

One to the hat, the other head, 
Gives form and beauty ; and the bread 
Is not more useful, that we eat, 
Tlian to the mind tlie printed slieet. 

Paper is power ; its good depends 
Upon that paper's aims tmd ends. 
Show me a paper where the news 
Is mingled with the stench of stews ; 
t Where venom flows from hearts of men 

Blacker than ink upon their pen ; 
Which ne'er retracts, howcA'er plain 
The lie, but tells it o'er again : 
Which lies in prose and lies in verse, — 
That paper is a puhlic curse. 
But show me one, where'er it be. 
Whose columns are from scandal free ; 
Which fills the plastic mind of youth 
With wisdom, knowledge, virtue, truth ; 
Which wisdom gleans from every clime 
And knowledge bears in every line ; 
Impartial treats both friend and foe, 
And grants to all the right to know ; 
Sticks to the truth, though heavens fall 
And equal justice metes to all ; 
Which never in the market stands. 
And asks for bids, or takes commands ; 
Which treats the rich man as the poor, 
Cajoles and flatters him no more ; 
Which lifts the drunkard from his fall, — 
That paper is a boon to all ; 
And, as I read its cleanly lines, 
I feel that such is " Foxboro' Times." 

And with the libraries circling round, 
And winter lectures, wise, profound; 
Its churches, concerts, circles, schools, 
Its wise restraints and wholesome rules, — 
With all the good these blessings give, 
Foxb'rough 's the place for us to live. 
And if our cherished dust may lie 
Where Rock Hill cypress sweeps the sky ; 
If, in that loved, secluded spot 
We rest, assured we are not forgot; 



FOXBOROUGIl CENTENNIAL RECORD. 95 

If there, our living friends, may come 
To visit us in our last home. 
We say, without a pain or sigh, 
FoxboroKgh ivill be the place to die. 

The chosen name of our fair town 
Was always allied with reform : 
The town itself has always been 
The home of true reforming men. 



In the fierce Anti-slavery days 

It well deserved tliis meed of praise ; 

When first unfurled against the sky, 

That sacred banner floated high, 

No stouter, truer hearts appear. 

Than those who rallied round it here. 

The followers of another Fox 

Stood like the adamantine rocks. 

Beat back oppression's threat'ning wave, 

And sheltered here the flying slave. 

When first the Temperance work began, 

And man, to save his brother man. 

Who stood on ruin's crumbling edge, 

Gave up his cup, and signed the pledge, 

Then Foxborough men, and women too, 

Showed what reforming hearts could do, 

And to tliis day they urge the strife. 

And yield it only with their life. 

No town your humble rhymer knows. 

Which more to woman's influence owes ; 

And now no town recurs to mind 

Where Women's Eights are more maintained. 

As well may be, for, as it stands, 

Its wealth was made by woman's hands ; 

And that great industry it owns, 

Which all its earlier, later crowns. 

Its origin to woman owes. 

As each authentic legend shows : 

And while that industry shall last, 

We'll hold her precious mem'ry fast, 

Nor e'er, without a blush of shame, 

Forget a Metcalf s honored name. 



96 FOXBO ROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

And in that slow and noiseless change, 

Which, like the climates in their range, 

Its impress leaves on every mind, 

The town of Fox is not behind. 

Such changes come o'er Church and State : 

And they alone are truly great. 

Who own this change, themselves adapt, 

And in the Living Present act. 

Our fathers, honest, in their day 
Had their opinions and their way; 
As much before their fathers then, 
As we now in advance of them. 

And could these sires return again. 
They would not bring in hand a chain 
To fetter thought, and shackle mind ; 
But largest freedom, unconfined 
Except by bounds of Light and Love, 
Like that which bounds the realms above 

And we, another century gone. 
Whose brighter light on us shall dawn, 
Shall count as follies of our youth 
Much that we hold in faith, as truth, 
And wonder at the century past. 
As they now wonder at the last. 

The body changes with Reform ; 
The sjurit dies not, but moves on ; 
In other forms it meets our eyes — 
The reforming sjiirit never dies. 

While we the name of Fox revere, 
Of Charles or George, we ask not here 
Of either parent, we were born 
Disciples of the True Reform. 

Our native town, which saw its birth. 
When revolution shook the earth, 
A patriot town has ever proved, 
Most loyal to the cause it loved. 
When Revolution's bloody war 
Called patriot soldiers from afar, 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 97 

Our fathers, leaving field and wood, 

Seized the old musket or the sword, 

With many a long and weary tramp, 

Reported at the nearest camp ; 

And through that long and bloody night 

"Waited in hope the morning light 

Which on America should rise. 

Though storm and tempest swept the skies. 

And when, in Eighteen hundred twelve. 
They heard again the clarion bell. 
Our fathers sprung again to arms, 
Leaving their families and ftirms ; 
And when that fearful war was done, 
And theyj> our sires, came marching home. 
While Boston houses blaze with light, — 
A grateful and a glorious sight, — 
Then patriot bosoms burn with joy. 
And patriot songs all tongues employ : 
" The British navy's left our shore. 
And foreign foes invade no more." 

And when the flag on Sumter's walls 

Was made a target for rebel balls, 

Then Foxb'rough sprung again to arms — 

Forgot were business, stocks, and forms ; 

Her only thought that this fair land 

Was menaced by a rebel band. 

And when, at length, this war was done, 

And Johnny, indeed, came marching home, — • 

Again the rockets light the sky ; 
Again the stunning guns reply ; 
And Foxb'rough bells aloud proclaim. 
And Foxb'rough streets make wild acclaim. 
And Foxb'rough bands take up the strain, 
And Foxb'rough youth the glad refrain, 
And all, with one accord proclaim, 
Our town a town of patriot men. 

Our Patriot Dead — Sweet be their rest, — 
" By all their country's wishes blest; " 
Where'er they sleep, where'er they fell. 
The Muse of Hist'ry loves them well. 



98 FOZBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

No useless marble marks their fall ; 

But yonder fair Memorial Hall — 

A Poem writ in lines of stone — 

Records their deeds of valor done ; 

Dead of the last and every war 

Alike enshrined and honored are. 

And while this beauteous fane shall stand, 

Defenders of their native land 

From Mem'ry's Ilall shall ne'er depart, 

Enshrined within a nation's heart ; 

That nation's heart a hall shall be. 

In which they dwell eternally. 

And here, on each Memorial Day, 
Our floral ofI''rings sweet we lay • 
Upon the graves where heroes sleep, 
And thus our sacred promise keep, — 
Ne'er to forget them, should they fall ; 
But equal honors pay to all, 
Where'er entombed, where'er inscribed, 
Of those who for their country died. 

And those who died not, but returned 
To home and friends, have honor earned 
As large as that which crowns the brave. 
Who slumber in the soldier's grave ; 
Their risk the same, the same distress 
In field, in camp, in vile duress ; 
And, most of all, the patriot flame 
In dead and living burned the same ; 
Then to the living as the dead 
Be patriotic honors paid ; 
While to the dead we freely give. 
Some flowers reserve for those who live. 

When that stupendous pile was done. 
The temple of King Solomon, 
And Israel met, with rites sublime. 
To dedicate the sacred shrine, 
With upturned hands the monarch stood 
And thus invoked the Source of Good : 
«' God of our fathers, hear our prayer, 
Make us, as them. Thy tender care ; 
With us, as them, vouchsafe to be, 
While in their steps we follow Thee." 



FOA'BOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 99 

Behold that sovereign pleading there, 
And, furtlier, hear his earnest prayer : 
"0 Thou, whose love all hearts inspires, 
Be Thou with us, as with our sires." 
What fitter prayer for us to pray, 
Who dedicate our shrine to-day, — 
The Temple of a Hundred Years, — 
To Him who rules the rolling spheres ; 
Whose power defends, whose love inspires : 
'^£e Thou ivith us, as with our sires." 



Thou wast with them in other lands ; 
And when, dispersed in scattered bands, 
They tried the ocean's dangerous wave. 
Thou, too, didst sail, to guide and save. 
And when, at last, on Plymouth Rock, 
Fearing no more the ocean's shock. 
New dangers threatened on the land, 
Then didst Thou by our fathers stand. 
And through those long colonial years, 
Through sickness, hardshii^s, dangers, fears, 
Thou ledst our fathers by the hand, 
And caused them in Thy strength to stand ; 
And when the Revolution's night 
Was lighted with the lurid light ^ 

Of burning home and blazing fane, 
Our fathers' God was still the same. 



When Acton's minute-men Avent forth, 
To join the army of the North, 
'Tis said, by the historian there. 
From every house ascended prayer. 
When Stoughton's sons were far away, 
Did Stoughton's sturdy patriots pray ; 
And prayers went up that very morn 
That our beloved town was born. 

Nor was it in vain our fathers prayed ; 

The tide of wasting war was stayed; 

Upon a bright, eventful morn 

A nation unto God was born. 

And Independence, long maintained, 

Acknowledged, as it was proclaimed. 



100 FOXBOROUGU CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Then 1)C the sovereign's prayer your own, 
As you implore the eternal throne : 
"0 Thou, whose love oil hearts iyispires, 
Be Thou with us, as with our sires." 

When Israel, in the olden time, 
Mowed down the proud Philistines' line, 
Grateful, their fatliers' God they praised. 
And high their Ebenezer raised, — 
A rock, iinhewn hy human hands, 
A massive boulder of the land. 
So we, in these Centennial days. 
Our grateful Ebenezer raise ; 
No sculptured shaft, or polished stone, 
Which tells of human art alone, 
But granite boulder, erst upthroAvn 
From earth's foundations ; madly home 
By glacial currents, in their moods. 
And rounded by the glacial floods ; 
Wafted by the Creator's hand 
And scattered broadcast o'er the land. 
Such is the stone we raise to-day ; 
And as we draw the veil away. 
Before our eyes two centuries stand. 
Joined by an adamantine band : 
The century gone, and that begun ; 
The century dead, the century born. 

And as this new-born century runs,- 
Measured by slow-revolving suns. 
Our children oft shall turn their eyes 
To where this massive boulder lies, 
And in its massive strength shall see 
A symbol of eternity. 

" Stone of our Help," rest thou secure. 
While sun and moon and stars endure; 
God of our fathers, be our trust ; 
And when we turn at last to dust. 
Then to our faith and hope be given 
The countless centuries of heaven. 

The Poem concluded, the President said : The next thing 
in order is for me to introduce the Toast-Master, Mr. 



FOA'BOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 101 

Spencer, who will niinoiince the toasts. As we are short 
of time, we shall not expect long speeches. 

EEMAKKS OF THE TOAST-MASTER, WHY. W. H. SPENCER. 

It is not for me, my friends, to detain you with one Avord 
of my own, as I have not the gift of Joshua, and cannot 
command the sun to stand still. I would gladly do so, for 
there are many whom we wish to hear speak. Of the whole 
number whom we have invited home to-day, I believe eleven 
hundred and ninety-two have accepted our invitation, and 
we should be glad to hear from every one of them. There 
are also those who never have visited o'ur town before, and 
whom every one of you would be happy and are now long- 
ing to hear. I will, therefore, immediatel}^ take myself out 
of the way after offering the following sentiment : — 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts : Distinguished for her liber- 
ality, education, and progress, strong in the enterprise and integrity of her 
citizens ; her citizenship is the honorable inheritance of her sons. 

1 have great pleasure in introducing to you one whom you 
have repeatedly chosen to speak and act for Massachusetts, — 
— His Excellency Alexander H. Rice, our honored Gov- 
ernor. ^ 

ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR RICE. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — I am aware that 
I have but a very few moments in which to speak to you. I 
can do little more than say Hail and Farewell ! And yet I 
should be false to the promptings of my heart if I did not 
express to you the great pleasure and satisfaction which 
I derive in meeting so large and intellioent an assembla2:e of 
the sous and daughters of Massachusetts. I know very well 
where your thoughts are, because I know where mine are. 
We have been lifted far above, on tlie wings of the muse, 



102 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

and while I was sailing along there, forgetful entirely that 
there was any terrestrial portion of this ball outside of the 
town of Foxb'orough, I find myself landed upon my feet to 
speak to you in ordinary prose. [Laughter.] If any of you 
can tell me how I can make the descent from that lofty 
height to terra firma in safety, I will sit down and listen to 
the recital. 

This is my first visit to Foxborough, and, of course, com- 
ing here as a stranger, I have the natural curiosity of the 
stranger to see what sort of a town and what sort of people 
are here in Foxborough. I have seen what sort of a town it 
is. There are no very great natural advantages, l)ut it is 
pretty, strong, substantial, prosperous, and hopeful. And 
the people — why, they look as if they might, every one of 
them, appear here one hundred years hence, to celebrate the 
second centennial of the town of Foxborough. [Applause.] 
I am very much indeed confirmed in the opinion that most 
of you Avill be here, and I will tell you why. [Laughter.] 
You know that my visit is very Ijrief, and, therefore, I have 
been obliged to rush from premise to conclusion. Our 
friend, your honored citizen, the Orator of the Day, Mr. 
Carpenter, — whom, if he had lived anywhere else but in 
Foxborough, I should have supposed from his silvery head 
to be past the middle period of life, — this gentleman, appar- 
ently old, and yet so young, what did he do ? Why, he led 
up to me a blooming youth, with long hair, hardly as silvery 
as his own, and introduced him to me as his father, eighty- 
three years old. [Applause.] Well, now, 1 am satisfied that 
Foxborough is a very extraordinary town in one particular, 
and that is, that the older your men grow the younger they 
are. [Laughter and applause.] Then there is another fact. I 
listened with great interest and care to that methodical, 
statistical, and circumstantial oration, gathered with so much 
comprehensive care, stated so tersely, so closely, and so 
emphatically ; and one of the things that rested on my mind 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 103 

impressively in the recital was, that it was a great many 
years after Foxborough was founded before they bought a 
hearse. [Laughter.] And then I observed that very soon 
after they bought the hearse, they apparently — although 
he did not say so — found no use for it out of doors, and they 
built a hearse-house to store it in. [Laughter.] I am obliged 
to go to Boston in a very few minutes ; but, if ever I have 
any anxiety about my personal security, or any apprehension 
of the sudden approach of death, I will surely take the first 
train to Foxborough. [Laughter and applause.] 

Well, now, ladies and gentlemen, I did not intend to talk 
to you in this strain. There was somethiug that was lofty 
and noble in the sentiment which has been read, and if time 
permitted I would try to rise up to the sentiment which that 
toast contains. But you will pardon me if I only say that 
this town is a typical town of New England. The orator 
said something about wilderness, something al)out musical 
rocks and places of retirement, and even, it was whispered, 
something about the Devil's Den. Well, I am quite sure 
that if there be any such personage in these parts he is kept 
in his den, for there is no evidence of his being abroad here 
anywhere. 

But to come back — it was about the wilderness. Here 
are no great natural resources, no circumstances that seem 
particularly inviting to settlement. There seems to be nothing 
which nature has dropped here which should support a great 
population, or that should build up a community, intelligent, 
virtuous, and prosperous as this is. Now, in human affairs 
there are very few things that come by accident. We talk 
about God's providence, and we see it exhibited in the 
grandeur, and sublimity, and beauty of nature. But that 
providence works as well in human nature as it does in the 
world of physics ; and it is just because the intelligence and 
the virtue which he blesses and makes prosperous have 
thriven here, that you are enabled to support a ccnnmunity 



104 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

of the chai-cacter which I have looked upon to-day. 
We are, here in New England, dependent not upon 
great natural advantages. We have but very few of 
them. We are situated here somewhat towards the end 
and corner of the great American Union ; and the chal- 
lenge to us here, — the challenge to our manhood and our 
womanhood, — is to see whether we have the ability to main- 
tain a high type of civilization, and to make a respectable 
living and a fair accumulation of fortune despite the disad- 
vantages of nature. AA'e should never have the population 
that we have here in Massachusetts if nature had been more 
bountiful to us. The problem is put before every young 
man, here in New England, Have you the energy and the 
pluck, have you the intelligence and the virtue, to make 
something out of notJdng? If you have, here is an oppor- 
tunity for you to go to work. Evidently the challenge has 
been manfully accej^ted here, as in other places in our glori- 
ous old Commonwealth, and the people of this town have 
shown that they are entirely equal to the task which they 
have undertaken. We depend upon the nudtiplication of 
our employments, here in New England, and the opportunity 
for this employment is somewhat limited. AYe can never 
expect to make great headway in agriculture, we can never 
expect to do a great deal in transportation, — I mean in the 
world's transportation, — l)ecause we are off the great central 
lines of travel ; but if we make use of the ingenuity, the 
skill that comes out of our atmosphere, out of our soil, out of 
our inheritance, out of the principles that have been trans- 
mitted to us, out of our schools and colleges and churches, 
we cannot fail, because thc}^ make the type of manhood that 
knows no such thing as failure. Consequently it is that 
here in this little State of Massachusetts — the most densely 
populated to the square mile of any part of the American 
continent — we have the highest degree of prosperity, a larger 
average division of wealth, a greater amount of physical 



FOSBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 105 

comfort, a higher measure of intelligence, a loftier standard 
of virtue, to which we aspire, whether we reach it or not. 
And Massachusetts stands out to-day, before her sister 
States, as an example of what men may do with limited 
opportunities, boundless courage, and the ingenuity to make 
the best use of what God and the times have given them. I 
congratulate you, my friends, on your part in this success, 
and in the renown wdiich comes out of it ; and, whether I 
shall ever meet you again or not, I shall carry awfiy the 
pleasantest impressions of the people of this town, and 
I shall leave with you my heartiest and sincerest wishes 
for your individual and general welfare and happiness. 
[Applause.] 

[At the suggestion of Mr. Carpenter, three cheers were 
given by the audience for Governor Rice.] 

Introducing Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Mr. Spencer 
said : — 

Our next toast is not the one in regular order, but the 
gentleman who has been chosen to respond must leave us 
soon, and therefore I will call upon him now. The senti- 
ment is as follows : — 

History and Agriculture: The first records the life of nations and of 
people : the second is the foundation of all prosperity, without which neither 
can live. All men must come to the farm for hread. 

I will call upon one whose special studies and whose four- 
score and more years of experience well entitle him to 
respond to this sentiment, — Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, 
President of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society, 
the founder of the United States Agricultural Society, and 
for twenty years the President of the Norfolk Agricultural 
Society. 



106 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

ADDRESS OF HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 

Mr. President^ Ladies and Gentlemen: — I thank you 
for this recognition of my long connection with the great 
interests of History and Agriculture, both momentous in 
their importance as aflecting the welfare of the human race ; 
the first recording the history of human life, and the second 
furnishinjr the means without which that life cannot exist. 
History exerts a divine influence on all the generations of 
mankind, raising men to a higher and nobler character, and 
a truer and purer courage, faith, and fortitude. When I 
reflect on the history of our old New England, the principles 
and examples of our fathers, — principles which are fast rev- 
olutionizing the nations of the Old World ; principles which 
I believe will ultimately regenerate the nations of the earth, — 
I feel more and more deeply impressed with the importance 
of transmitting these blessings to those who are to come 
after us. It is with this view, Mr. President, that I rejoice 
with you in the celebration of all such occasions as this. 
The commemoration of the history of your own town is no 
idle ceremony. It embraces a broad association of senti- 
ment ; of sentiment that should have a place in every one 
who has a love of country, of kindred, or of home, awaken- 
ing in us the holiest susceptibilities of our character, and the 
tenderest afi'ections of our soul. 

Who can revisit the place of his childhood, and recline 
under the old elm which had been his pride from childhood 
up, the old red school-house where he learned his A, B, C's, 
the village church where he was presented at the baptismal 
font, and the sacred places where lie the remains of the 
loved and lost, without experiencing emotions that no human 
language can describe? But, sir, I know how short your 
time is, and I must not prolong this thought. Suffice it for 
me to say that History is the revelation of eternal wisdom, 
instructing us how to be happy and immortal on earth. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 107 

Mr. President, you have alluded to me in connection with 
the great interest of Agriculture, — that interest upon which 
depends the prosperity of all others. I am most happy, 
sir, to respond for that. You and I, sir, have seen great 
changes in it. We have seen great changes in the moral 
and physical world, but none greater than those which have 
been effected by science in the practice of agriculture. 
Why, some of us remember the time when we followed the 
old w^ooden plough, turning up its scanty furrow, supplanted 
now by the modern iron plough, which has given place to 
the majestic steam plough, movhig over the broad plain like 
a thing of life, turning up its numerous furrows at once, and 
leaving behind it a wake like that of a majestic vessel. 
We have used sickle and scythe, slowly gathering up the 
precious crop. Now go with me to these Western tields. 
Look down that broad prairie and see those two hundred 
reaping and mowing machines taking down the precious 
grain at the rate of two hundred acres per hour. 

When your tow^n w^as incorporated there was not an 
Agricultural or Horticultural Society on this continent ; now 
they are counted by hundreds, there being more than one 
thousand four hundred mentioned on the books of the 
Department at Washington. Some of us noAv living remem- 
ber the time when the annual crop of cereals in our whole 
country was not one hundred millions of bushels. Now it 
is nearly a thousand millions of bushels. 

But I must not forget to pay my debt of gratitude to 
Foxborough ; therefore I conic a little nearer home, to that 
society w^hich your good president and the orator of the day 
have been steady and constant supporters of, during my 
presidency of twenty years, — I mean the Norfolk Agricul- 
tural Society, — which in this town celebration should have 
a record on this occasion. It was that Society, Mr. Presi- 
dent, as you know very well, from whence emanated the 
first movement for the establishment of the Mass. Board of 



108 FOXBOROUGTI CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Agriculture, now just having conipletetl its twenty-fifth year 
of service with great honor to itself. The Norfolk Agricul- 
tural Society was the tirst to purchase grounds and enclose 
them, and take fees for admission. It was the first — 
pardon me for saying it, but as you have alluded to me as 
being advanced in life I may never again have an opportunity 
to tell you — it was the first to move in the great cause of 
agricultural education. When, thirty years ago, 1 had the 
honor to deliver an address on that subject, which was one 
of the first general efiVn-ts in behalf of that cause, — a cause 
which has culminated in the establishment of our own 
beloved Agricultural College, which has brought such renown 
to the State ; a college which only a few days ago graduated 
twenty as fine young men as I ever saw stand upon the plat- 
form of any college. In the absence of His Excellency 
the Governor, I had the supreme honor and felicity of con- 
ferring upon each one of those graduates the degree of 
Bachelor of Science. Let me record here, also, to the honor 
of that college and the glory of our State, that it has planted 
the first Agricultural College in the far-off island of Japan, 
and has installed a president and three professors Avho are 
graduates from it. 

But I shall tire your patience by repeating and speaking 
of the wonderful progress of science, education, and civili- 
zation in our day, and therefore I will bring my remarks to 
a close. But, standing as we do here to-day on the threshold 
of the second century in the history of your town, let us 
remember to express our everlasting gratitude for the price- 
less blessings which were inherited from our fathers ; and 
let us also leave for those who are to come after us a right 
hearty welcome to the princi[)les, the patriotism, the virtue 
of the present generation. I believe that these principles to 
which I have referred, and which we have inherited from 
our fathers, will Net pervade the workl. I believe that all 
this progress which we are seeing is but the faint glimmering 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 109 

of that glorious day when peace, plenty, and prosperity shall 
pervade the whole earth, and when the principles of our 
NeAV England fathers will bind, not only families of States, 
but nations, together in one great circle of life and love. 
But. Mr. President, as I think I shall find it very incon- 
venient to be here at your next centennial celebration 
[Laughter] — I propose a sentiment which will include both 
this and that occasion. I give you, "The Town of Fox- 
borough ; celebrated in the past for the intelligence, enter- 
prise, and industry of her sons ; may she in the centuries to 
come be as renow^ned for the prosperity, patriotism, and 
valor of her people." [Applause.] 

Mr. Spencer. — Thank you ; if we had received it before 
perhaps we might have used it in place of this. As it is, I 
will give you l)oth, for the next toast is the regular one : — 

The Town of Foxborough : Born one hundred years ago, during the 
glorious struggle for liberty, named for one who believed that free men should 
resist unjust taxation, grown to a hardy, healthy body, on a diet of straw ; 
may she never pine for the lack of some solid food. 

I Avill call upon one who has a right to speak in this town, 
by virtue of his descent from one of our earlier settlers, and 
who has an additional claim to a hearing from us by reason 
of his afiinity with one of the first and noblest of those who 
shed their blood in the cause of liberty, — Hon. Henry W. 
Paine, grand-nephew of Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at 
Bunker Hill. 

ADDRESS OF HON. HENRY W. PAINE. 

My Friends, my Kinsmen: — It is most agreeable to my 
feelings that I am not treated as a stranger, but am received 
and recognized as one of the family. Though not a native 
of the town, the name of Foxborough was familiar to my 
ear before my infant tongue could lisp it. In this town my 



110 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

father ^vas born one hundred years ago next December. To 
this town my mother was brought by her parents ninety-nine 
years ago. Here they lived until they married and migrated 
to the, then, wilderness of Maine. From my earliest recol- 
lection the names of the Foxborough families were house- 
hold words in their far-away home on the shores of the 
Kennebec. In your cemeteries are the remains of my grand- 
parents on either side, and of many tenderly-loved relatives. 
It would be strange, passing strange, if I did not feel a deep 
interest in all that pertains to this town, to its past, to its 
present, and to its future, — the birthplace, the burial-place, 
and, permit me to say it from my heart, the present dwell- 
ing-place, of many near and dear to me, and my kinsmen. 

As I passed in review your cultivated fields, your peace- 
ful and commodious dwellings, your charming and beautiful 
village, I could not refrain from contrasting the present with 
the past. The town, as it now is, is the town as it must 
have been, and, according to the admirable oration of your 
orator to-day, was an hundred years ago. Born, as the town 
was, amid the throes of the country's agony, our fathers 
were then engaged in the great battle of freedom, and with 
fearful odds. They were a people without a government; 
their scanty resources were nearly exhausted ; their antago- 
nist was the most powerful nation on the face of the earth. 
The time of the birth of your town was indeed a period of 
iiitense anxiety and distress. But our fathers did not de- 
spond ; they sustained, without repining, the vast burdens 
which a long-protracted war had imposed on them. They 
believed their cause to be just ; they believed their demands 
to be reasonable : and they proceeded to the end. They 
found their confederated system defective, and they estab- 
lished a more perfect union. They devised a form of gov- 
ernment without precedent in the world's history. It is Avell 
for the people that call to mind the great virtues of their 
fathers to practise those virtues, and to emulate their exam- 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. Ill 

pie , in order that they may transmit to those who are to come 
after them the grand inheritance they have received from 
those who have gone before them. But I cannot occupy 
your time at this late hour when others are probably expect- 
ing to address you . Among the virtues — conspicuous among 
the virtues — of our fathers was their industry. From Avhat I 
have seen of the people of Foxborough I am inclined to 
think that the habit of the town is not entirely eating, in the 
language of the sentiment, a straw diet ; but is largely to 
pay tribute to those habits of industry which they have in- 
herited, and which they have had the good sense to cultivate 
in their own hearts, to labor wisely and intelligently. 

Without taking up any more of your time, which I proba- 
blymight have done, — for matters press upon my mind, — 
I close with saying, that not her sons only, but her grandsons, 
ardently desire a happy and prosperous future for the dear 
old town. [Applause.] 

Mr. Spencer. — I am just reminded to tell you that we 
are still going to have the best speeches, of those which are 
to follow; those which have gone before, of course, are. 
[Laughter.] Here is a snug little audience, little in com- 
parison with what we have had ; but I think you will all be 
sorry if you don't stay. It is only five o'clock. 

A gentleman in the audience : " We'll stay all night." 
Mr. Spencer. — The next sentiment which I shall propose 
is : — 

Our Town's Centennial : A link between the past and the future, and an 
occasion for making a contribution to local history. May the years to come 
have a history as bright and fair as those whose flight we celebrate to-day. 

I shall call upon a gentlemau to respond to this sentiment, 
of whose grandfather you have heard in the oration to-day. 
I meant to read this page as a sort of introduction, by w^hich 
to introduce Mr. Winslow ; but the orator has taken the 



112 FOXBOROVGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

words out of my mouth, and I will not repeat them. This 
grandfather was Dr. Shudrach Winslow ; some of you will 
remember him, perhaps. The gentleman whom I will intro- 
duce to you has come all the way from New York to speak, 
as he says, for the bones of his grandfother. I introduce 
John AYinslow, Esq., of the New York Bar. 

ADDRESS OF JOHN WINSLOW, ESQ. 

JSlr. President and Frieiids: — To take some part with 
you here to-day is a privilege and an honor. Town com- 
memorations of centennials are useful both as a moral 
stimulus and as opening up the sources of history. 

There is not a joy known to humanity, or a sorrow, that 
has not in some form reached a Foxbovough home, in the 
century that has passed. Whatever exalts the soul, or casts 
it down, has been known or felt at some Foxboroiigh fire- 
side. Looking at the century that has passed, in its rela- 
tions to the body politic, we quickly see its salient points. 
Within its limits may be counted the achievement of National 
Independence ; the second war with Great Britain, wherein 
our right to a i)lace among the nations was again vindicated. 

Then followed the mighty shock of civil w^ar, wherein 
the integrity of the Union was preserved in blood and fire. 
These three epochs, and the great debates they stirred 
among men, were follow^ed by a national sequence, and, as a 
crowning grace, the abolition of slavery in the United States. 
[Applause.] 

To-day we have a great nation, fearing no foreign foe. If 
it has cause for apprehension, it is rather from what is within 
than from what is Avithout its boundaries. Centennial town 
connnemorations add to our knowledge of local history, and 
deepen our attachments to the community and the place 
where avc and our ancestors have lived. There is not a man, 
woman, or child living in Foxborough, who is not enriched 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 113 

by the celebration of to-clay. Town histories are the sources 
of State and National history. As the rivulets swell the 
river, and the river pours into the sea, so these local histories 
contribute to that of the State, and that of the States to the 
history of the natiou. 

The utility of the great libraries of Europe may be best 
seen when we consider that their vast numbers of volumes 
are not to be used or read ceriatim, but rather as words in a 
lexicon, as occasion may require. So the numerous town 
histories of tlie country should be written witli care and 
accuracy, because they are the words of the great lexicon of 
history, — the sources of all our history, — to be referred to 
and used as occasion may require, and from which as data 
clear generalizations may be made. 

It is the privilege and duty of each of us, so far as we can, 
to contribute to local history something of incident, of rec- 
ollection, or experience. It is said that he renders a public 
service who makes a blade of grass grow wliere none grew 
before : so it may be said in historical matters, that he ren- 
ders a public service who supplies a verified fact to local 
history. When I was a child and used to visit my good 
grandmother in East Foxborough, and enjoy her cakes, I 
remember how I got the impression that Foxborough took 
its name from the foxes that did burrow in its fields and 
woods, and later, when an old uncle showed me where to find 
fox grapes (and pretty sour they were), how I began to 
think that possibly Foxborough might, after all, have been 
named after sour grapes. [Laughter.] And then later, 
when I learned that the town was named in honor of the 
eloquent Mr. Fox, who was our friend in the British Parlia- 
ment, in the days when friends were not numerous there, my 
curiosity was aroused to know something more of Fox, and 
the period in which he lived and made his fame. So here 
to-day, I think, there may be children Avho have heard 
historical allusions new to them, and which will interest 



114 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

them to make further researches. It is said that history is 
philosophy teacliing by example. It may be that Foxboroiigh 
will send out to the world, from the risino; jreiieration, youno- 
men who shall be able to understand the teachings of history 
more comprehensively, because their taste in historical re- 
search has been quickened by the studies and memories of 
this day. Thus, among the utilities of this celebration may 
be counted the fact, that it will inspire a spirit and love of 
historical study, and so bring a better knowledge of causes 
and effects that govern the affairs of men. 

I remember in the history of Foxborough that there seemed 
to have been two great agitations, which must have convulsed 
the town from centre to circumference. There was a mighty 
poem written some j^ears ago, by Mr. Payne, father of the 
venerable aud distinguished lawyer who has addressed you, 
describing, in a satirical way, an ecclesiastical feud that ex- 
isted in this town Avhen the Reverend Mr. Somebody adopted 
a new dogma, or stuck to an old one. The poem refers to 
Dr. Shadrach Winslow as one of the theological belligerents. 
We are told, by the learned orator of the day, of another con- 
vulsion which came to startle the good people of this toAvn, and 
that was through the medium of New England rum. So I 
am inclined to think that Foxborough, at one time, had for 
its chief discussion New England theology and New England 
rum. [Laughter.] I am soriy to say that for a time the 
latter spirit got the better of the former, and your orator told 
you that it ruined many people of this toAvn. But the good 
news comes that Foxborough is, at last, on the temperance 
side of the question. Now, I hold that it is the right and 
the privilege of every man, woman, and child here to con- 
tribute, if he can, something of incident, recollection, or ex- 
perience , to local history . That is the way local history should 
be made and understood. I can understand, when these great 
matters were del)ated in Foxborough, there got to be a sort 
of vernacular or special tone. I have an excise certificate in 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 115 

my possession, which I found among my grandfather's papers, 
which licensed my father's maternal grandfather, Eleazer Rob- 
bins, to keep an inn in the town of Foxborough. 1 found 
among the papers, also, a vote of the Congregational Council, 
that met here, for some solemn purpose, in that inn. I have 
no doubt they had a very grave and sober time. [Laughter.] 
I can almost imagine that in that benighted period, when 
the use of the ardent spirit was too common, before one 
really felt equal to making a fine disci-imination between 
what was Calvinism, and Avhat was Calvin istic, and what 
was Calvinistical, and w4iat was Hopkinsian, he had first 
to take a drink. [Laughter.] 

As an illustration of the vernacular that will appear in 
special localities, I remember an anecdote that occurred in 
New Bedford one day. You know they are a peculiar people 
there, and have a special calling : they go whaling, or send 
others, and measure their oil cargoes by the barrel. There 
was one day an Irishman brought up in court on a charge of 
assaultincj a colored man in the street in an outrageous and 
cruel manner. Patrick was indicted for it, and Michael was 
called as a witness. It turned out that Michael took a hand 
in the scrimmage, and helped Patrick against the poor colored 
man. The lawyer said, "Why, Michael, what did you take 
a hand in that for ; why did you interfere ? " — " Well," said he, 
" I saw the fight, and it was a great big nigger against Patrick, 
my friend." — " Well, Michael," said the lawyer, " a great big 
nigger, — how large a nigger was it ?" — " W^ell," said Michael, 
"I should think it was about a four-barrel nigger." [Laugh- 
ter.] So towns in their history come to have their own 
traditions and their own vernacular. 

Now, I won't undertake to say anything more of wiiat may 
have been the topics or style of conversation in the early 
davs of Foxborough. I remember when I used to come here 
to see my good old grandmother, that I would not be here 
long before I would be invited to go a-hucklel)errying ; so I 



116 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

concluded that one of the chief crops and products of Fox- 
borough in those days was huckleberries and milk. 

I need not say that I was deeply interested in the allu- 
sion made by the (^rator of the day, in his very interesting, 
instructive, and able address, to Dr. Shadrach Winslow, 
my grandfather, who lived and also died in Foxborough. 
As I have already intimated that contributious to local his- 
tory are in order, so let me make some further allusions to 
this distinguished man, both because of my personal interest 
in him, and because his life was so largely identified with 
Foxborough, and thus because a sketch of him becomes a 
contribution to local history. Dr. Winslow was born in 
Freetown, on the 17th day of December, in the year 1750, 
and died in Foxborough, on the 1st day of February, in the 
year 1817. He graduated from Yale College on the 11th 
day of September, 1771. His diploma is in my possession, 
and is much valued as a relic and sure voucher of the past. 
The diploma is of the terse style of that day, in Latin, and 
is signed by Naphthali Daggett, Pres., and five socii. After 
graduation he became a physician, and married Elizabeth 
Robbins, a daughter of Eleazer Robbins, who was an exten- 
sive owner of land in Foxborough. 

When the Avar of the Revolution began Dr. Winslow was 
deeply stirred. He entered into the contest warmly, and 
in August, 1776, aided in fitting up the privateer sloop-of- 
war "Joseph," and went with her on several voyages as 
surgeon. Thus is the history of Foxborough identified with 
the naval history of the Revolution. [Applause.] That 
her sons were well represented in the army of the Revolu- 
tion appears from the oration of the day. 

Dr. Winslow was a lineal descendant of Edward Winslow, 
of Droitwitch, England, who died in 1631, and who was the 
father of Governor Edward Winslow, who, with his brother 
John, came in the "Mayflower" in 1620. Dr. WinsloAv's 
American ancestor was Kenelm Winslow, a brother of the 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 117' 

governor and of John, and Avho came to Plymonth about 
1630, probably in the "Mayflower" on her second voyage. 
Starting from Edward Winsh)W, of Droitwich, England, the 
lineal line runs thus: Kenelm (son of Edward), Kenelm, 
Josiah, James, Shadrach. Thus, Dr. Winslow was of the 
fifth generation in the American line ; my father, Eleazer 
Bobbins Winslow, of the sixth ; and your friend, who now 
addresses you, of the seventh. 

There is an aged gentleman, Samuel S. Warren, Esq., 
from wdiose letter your orator, Mr. Carpenter, read to-day, 
now residing w^ith a daughter in Wrentham, w^ho knew Dr. 
Winslow well, and in response to a letter of mine has kindly 
furnished some interesting facts. As this is a day for con- 
tributions to local history, I will read a portion of Mr. 
Warren's letter, which to me is of exceeding interest : — 

"John AVixslow, Esq.: — 

"Dear Sir, — A day or two since I received a communi- 
cation from you, asking for information in relation to your 
grandfather. Dr. Shadrach Winslow, wdio for many years 
resided in the tow^n of Foxborough. 

"I will, dear sir, so far as my limited knowledge will 
permit, respond to your inquiry. He w^as in person about 
six feet, firm and muscular in structure, though ever after I 
knew him remarkably thin in flesh. In health he Avould be 
called a fine-looking man. As a man he was highly re- 
spected for talents and attainments. No man, whether 
friend or foe, would attempt to call his integrity in question. 

" As a physician he was held in high repute hy all capable 
of forming a just estimate of professional merit. He w as in 
high practice in Foxborough for many years, until his health 
became so feeble that he could not respond to professional 
calls without risk. He was evidently social in feelings, 
although at times taciturn and retiring. He was courteous 
and kind to his friends, and ever ready to serve them when 



118 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

able. He had many friends. He never courted the rabble, 
and could not be induced to accept office. The quietude of 
domestic life api^eared to be with him paramount over most 
other considerations. In politics he was thoroughly demo- 
cratic ; in religion as thoroughly Calvinistic. He was a tine 
classical scholar, and an ardent lover of philosophical inves- 
tigation. 

" The old people have told me that when young, probably 
soon after leaving college, he became ardently attached to a 
beautiful and amiable young lady by the name of Betsey 
Peck, to whom he was about to be married, when she was 
suddenly removed by death. This sad event was said, by 
relations of the doctor, to have produced a deep and lasting 
influence upon his sensibility. I can easily conceive that 
one of his sanguine temperament might be so afiected. 

"He probably settled in Foxborough about 1784, and 
about that time married a daughter of Eleazer Kobbins. 
She was a most amiable woman, with whom he lived for 
many years happily and aftectionately. He used to practise 
in my father's family. In the month of May, 1790, a son 
of General Warren was making a visit at my father's, in 
Foxborough, when he was taken ill. The family, though 
not much alarmed about him, sent for Dr. Winslow. The 
doctor stepped into the room, came out, and told my parents 
that he could not live an hour. They could not be made to 
believe it, but in a very few minutes he breathed his last. 
He had no desire to make an ostentatious exhibition of his 
superior knowledge ; 1)ut when he did speak in public he 
was listened to by all, for his mind was luminous, his 
thoughts pertinent, and his arrangement logical. The doc- 
tor and my father. Judge Warren, though opposite in 
politics and religion, were ever personal friends. 

"Dr. Winslow was a superior Latinist, and used to read to 
me, during my preparatory course, Virgil, Horace, Cicero, 
etc., with great facility. I think he kept his classics until 



FOXBOROUGU CENTENNIAL RECORD. 119 

his death. I used, when a boy, to be much in the company 
of the doctor. I used to be at his mill frequently, where I 
often met him. lie was to me one of the most interesting; 
of the human family. I think he made several successful 
voyages before being captured. I do not recollect ever 
hearing him detail the circumstances of his capture. He 
was not long on board any prison-ship. Immediately after 
his liberation he commenced his tour upon the Continent. 

" I recollect hearing him speak of being in France, Spain, 
Portugal, and Turkey. He frequently spoke of the superior 
Latin scholars in Spain, who read, wrote, and spoke the 
language as familiarly as their own ; said he used to com- 
municate with them in writing, as their pronunciation of 
Latin was so different from ours that it was impracticable to 
converse with them in that lano^uao^e. He returned to 
America at the close of the war. I was, when a boy, famil- 
iarly acquainted with the whole family. Jesse and myself 
were not far from the same age. We were sworn friends. 
He was a splendid youth." 

Let me add that Mr. Warren is eighty -five years of age, 
and connected with the General Warren family, of Bunker 
Hill fame. I feel and wish to express a deep sense of obli- 
gation to him for his kindness in supplying these interesting 
facts. It is an irksome thing for many in the prime of life 
to write a letter. It is a very creditable thing for a gentle- 
man eighty-five years old to write such a letter as I have 
from Mr. Warren, requiring accuracy of statement and 
careful memory. 

These facts make me better acquainted with the good 
doctor, and feel, in a sense, that I, too, have walked and 
talked with him as with one entitled to my affectionate respect. 
The remark that Mr. Warren makes in his letter, that " he 
was to me one of the most interesting of the human family," 
shows how deeply impressed he was by his strong character. 



120 FOXBORoron cextexxial record. 

Your esteemed venerable townsman, Capt. Daniels Carpenter, 
remembers him well, and says, ''When a youth twelve y^rs 
of age he was attended by him as a physician.' 

As illustrative of how important historical facts are, 
sometimes lost or hidden away through want of care, let me 
tell you something of the sloop-of-war in which Dr. Winslow 
sailed as surgeon in the war of the Revolution. 

For many years I have been inquiring in various direc- 
tions the name of the sloop, but could find no one who 
knew. If anv ever did know thev had forofotten. 

I wished to know, that I might verify an important his- 
torical fact, and make some examination of our naval regis- 
ters in that connection. Last year through my importunities, 
my good uncle Joseph, the youngest and only surviving 
child of Dr. AVinslow, was induced to examine some old 
papers in his possession that belonged to his father. 

Among these was found a will, made August 16, 1776, by 
Dr. Winslow, just prior to his first voyage. 

In that will, which I have here, the name of the sloop ap- 
pears ; it was the "Joseph." I knew something of the 
"Joseph" who was captured and sent to Egypt, but wanted 
to know about this " Joseph " that was captured and sent to 
Egyptian darkness with my grandfither on board, a prisoner 
of war. 

So here was a most important fact brought to light touch- 
ing the naval history of Foxborough. You may depend 
upon it that I will take good care that it is not again hidden 
in darkness. 

Let me read a few lines of this will : — 

"I, Shadrach Winslow, of Rheoboth, in the State of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay, being sensible, although now in a comfortable 
state of health, that life is uncertain, and being bound on a 
cruise in the privateer sloop-of-war called the "Joseph." 
against the enemies of the L^nited American States, and 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 121 

knowing the many contingencies that in the Course of Divine 
Providence daily must and do await mankind in every age 
and station of life, and willing that those temporal goods, and 
such estate as God has blessed me with, should be so disposed 
of in case I should not return, as would be most satisfactory to 
me ; Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, 
recommending myself through Christ, first of all, to that 
merciful being who gave mine and what I possess, and hoping 
through him to enjoy felicity hereafter," etc. 

Upon the suggestion of Commodore Preble, from whom I 
have received a letter on the subject, I examined a naval 
register found in the N. E. Historical and Genealogical 
Library, in Boston, of which Mr. \A'ilder is president, 
and found the record. 

Mr. Warren mentions Dr. Winslow's deep attachment to 
the beautiful Miss Betsey Peck, who died. The will referred 
to shows the name of the sloop-of-war was the "Joseph." 
Perhaps it is more than a coincidence that his oldest daugh- 
ter was named "Betsey Peck," and his youngest son 
" Joseph." That very tender and thrilling memories of his 
life clustered about these names is apparent. The sources 
of early history rest largely on tradition. Whether Romu- 
lus and Remus, the traditional founders of Rome, ever lived 
we know not ; but we find that even contemporaneous his- 
tory must be most carefully written, to avoid errors. For 
instance, I know, as a lawyer, there is no rule of English or 
American law better settled, or more respected, than that 
dying declarations, in cases of homicide, are received in 
evidence as if given under the sanction of an oath. The 
theory is, that one making a declaration in the fiice of 
death is likely to speak the truth, if of sound mind and 
memor}'. But, Sir James FitzJames, Q.C., in a recent 
ecliticm of his learned work on the Law of Evidence, relates 
as a curious instance of the way in which the rules of evi- 



122 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

dence v.aiy in their eflect, that a Punjab district (a district 
in India) officer Uitely told him that it had come to l)e com- 
monly known in the Peshawur division that a dying declara- 
tion as to the cause of the declarant's death is admitted in 
proof of the matter stated. The effect of this was, that 
whenever a man was mortally wounded, and found himself 
dying (a very common incident in that part of the world) , 
he took the opportunity of making a dying declaration, cal- 
culated to pay off as many old scores of vengeance as possible. 
The supposed ground of the English rule is, that the solemn 
thoughts coimected with approaching death are equivalent to 
the sanction of an oath. This is very far, indeed, from being 
the way in which a dying Punjabee looks at the subject. 
His reflection on such an occasion is, " This is my last chance 
of doing so and so, my old family enemy, a bad turn, and I 
will on no account miss it." 

Thus, it will be seen that the value of the ancient rule of 
evidence as a channel of history is largely dependent upon 
the progress of that civilization which proceeds from the 
Author of all truth. The Anglo-Saxon's standard is higher 
than the Punjabee's, and so better vindicates the supposed 
safety of the rule, as a means of verity. 

As a further illustration, I may cite the despairing excla- 
mation of Sir Walter Raleigh, on vainly trying to get at the 
rights of a squabble which he witnessed in a court-yard of 
the tower in which he was imprisoned. Two conflicting, 
and, as he thought, untrue accounts of the brawl were given 
to him in his room. "Here am I," he cried, "employed in 
writing a History of the World, trying to give a just account 
of transactions, many of which occurred three thousand 
years ago, — when I cannot ascertain the truth of what hap- 
pens under my window ! " 

So we are told by the Duke of Sully, that after the battle 
of Aumoule, Henry IV., being slightly wounded, conversed 
familiarly with some of his ofl[icers touching the perils of the 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 123 

day, upon which, says the duke, "I observed as something 
very extraordinary, that amongst us all who were in the 
chamber, there were not two who agreed in the recital of the 
most particular circumstances of the action." Doubtless 
diiferences like these may be accounted for ; but the fact 
remains that critical care does not always exclude errors in 
historical narrative. 

It is natural, on an occasion like this, when so many people 
come together from this and surrounding towns, to revive 
and review historical recollections, that one should think of 
the great republic, of which w^e are a part, and of its destiny. 
Governor llice, who has just addressed you, has spoken of 
the intelligence and virtue of the people of Massachusetts. 
Whatever opinions may be entertained, or prophecies 
made, concerning our national destiny, of one thing we are 
assured. If a gathering of such intelligent, thrifty, and 
moral people as I see before me, and as may be found in any 
town in Massachusetts, could be had upon an occasion of 
this sort, in any town in the United States ; then, in such a 
condition of society it would not require the prophetic voice 
to trace, in the bright outlines of the future, the continued 
stability and glory of our free institutions. [Applause.] 

The Toast-Master. — I told you that eleven hundred 
and ninety-two of our fellow-citizens, former residents of 
Foxborough, had responded to the invitations sent out. 
They deserve some sentiment, and I suggest the following : — 

OUR PRODIGALS. 

" Tliough they have wandered far from liome, 
And mingled in life's busy rout, 
It 's long, indeed, that a child may roam 
Ere it tire the love of its mother out." 

We welcome them with open arms to the home they loved 
and left. 



124 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL BE CORD. 

Among the many prodigals who, to-day, come rushing to 
the embrace of their fathers and parents there is a younger 
son, — a brother, who, having refreshed himself on our fatted 
calf, in his best robe, with a ring on his hand and shoes on 
his feet, will now, perhaps, have something to say about his 
diet of husks in Brockton, — Mr. Charles W. Sumner. 



ADDRESS OF CHARLES W. SUMNER, ESQ. 

Mr. Toast-Master : — At this stage of the proceedings I 
feel very much like certain members of Congress who are 
more anxious to be heard by their constituents than in Con- 
gress, and who say: "Mr. Speaker, I have a speech and I 
would like to print it ; but the lateness of the hour and the 
press of public business prev^ent its delivery." Now, it 
seems to me that I may say, honestly, at the l)eginning, that 
I am going to be brief, — very brief, — and that I may sit 
down before you know it. I think, in view of what the last 
speaker said, that I may safely say I shall be fully as brief 
as he. 

Upon these occasions it is always pleasant to hear from the 
invited guests, and always pleasant to hear from our own 
toAvnspeople. These ceremonies we have had here to-day 
remind me of a story of a certain letter written by a good 
Baptist Church memljer, on the upper ]Muskingham ; she 
wrote to one of her dearly beloved sisters, and said she : 
" This is very, very bad weather. We cannot go to church 
now, but we have had a minister here. We gave him ten 
pounds of butter and a ham, and you had just better believe 
we kept him praying while he stayed." [Laughter.] Cer- 
tain it is that I am at a loss to understand the parable of the 
prodigal son. Ever since I was a boy in Foxborough, and 
attended Sunday school here, I have heard one version, and 
only one version, of that parable. I have heard, first, of the 
inheritance besought of the father ; of the departure into 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 125 

« 
the far country ; of the wasting of the inheritance ; of the 
husks that were eaten, and of the repentance that followed 
it, and the search on the part of the prodigal after his 
father. Now, I do not believe this committee really believes 
in the repentance of its prodigals, or really believes that 
these eleven hundred and ninety-two prodigals have been 
lost and are now found — [Laughter] — because, for the first 
time in my life, the prodigal son has been invited home. 
Now, it is certain that there may be one excuse for that, and 
only one that I know of, and that is tliis : it is said we are 
welcomed with a mother's love. AVe know that whatever a 
mother does is always contrary to what we would expect in 
a paternal parent. We know that when, as boys and girls 
in our infancy, we were guilty of little sins, little mischiefs, 
it was the mother that we first confided in ; we remember 
her as the most honored and revered part of our family. We 
know that her love is a love that never tires and never for- 
gets ; we know that that is the love that follows the son, 
never loses sight of him, but goes in search of him and 
brings the wanderer home. Foxborough, as a mother, has 
thus gathered into her open arms eleven hundred and ninety- 
two prodigals. Certainly I never realized until to-day the 
immense extent of those arms, or the tremendous embrace 
they were capable of. [Laughter.] Certainly it is a 
peculiarity of Foxborough that the older she grows the 
younger she is, and that her embrace to-day is even stronger, 
larger, and more capacious than it was an hundred years ago. 
I am called upon to respond for all prodigals, — a young 
man, one who has not become acquainted with the career of 
many of those heads I see around me, whom Father Time 
has bleached white, and who I know have been long absent 
from their homes. But I have not yet learned that any 
descendant of Foxborough, or any prodig:d of Foxborough, 
has in any manner or in any measure violated any of its 
virtuous traditions that gather around her citizens. They 



126 FOXBOROUGH CEXTEXXIAL RECORD. 

have Iteen in various fields ; they have mingled in govern- 
ment, in art, in professions, in literature, as instructors, as 
ministers, — in every walk of life they have been heard from ; 
and to-day they return to the old homestead. Oh, how 
grand the day I How it must stir the inmost depths of the 
souls of every one of us I He who is not so moved is a 
l^rodigal indeed, unworthy of a country and undeserving of 
a home. As I rode through the town this morning in the 
procession ; as I went by many of the scenes of childhood 
and saw how much it had improved, how much it had grown ; 
when I asked myself the C[uestion, " How can all this business 
be carried on midst the apparent peace and quiet of Fox- 
borough?" I confess I was somewhat sui^Drised. I had 
not expected to see that long trade procession ; I did not 
believe it possible that within your limits so much business 
was done. As I went through these streets, as I visited 
your hall, as I went by Memorial Hall, as I looked down to 
the end of the street, near Avhich is my home, as I gathered 
with others upon the Common, as I rode with the procession 
through the various streets of the town, I could not but 
think, how beautiful is Foxborough ; and proud I was to 
show her to my friends, and those who were accompanying 
me. Certain it is, we all know, that whatever home we may 
build for ourselves ; however elegant the palace, however 
much we may call to our aid art and science to beautify it ; 
we never, never, can make of the home of our after-life one 
such spot about which there shall he such hallowed and such 
sacred memories as those that cluster around the home of 
one's childhood and infancy. And, as I have witnessed all 
these things, and thought of Foxborough, I have been proud 
of one other thing, and that is, that this town, with the tra- 
ditions which it has had, has also had within its limits one 
such public-spirited man as the orator of the day, Hon. E. 
P. Carpenter [Applause], — the man above all others to 
whose encouragement all this rare beauty, all this growth, 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 127 

all this expansion, is clue. As I live on in future years, and 
remember Foxborough, it must always be associated with his 
name. I ask, in conclusion, what monument can be more 
desired by man than to live forever in the affections of his 
fellow-countrymen, his fellow-citizens, and his descendants? 
Such, I l)elieve, will Ijc the vitality, the eternity, and the 
memory, that attaches to the name of E. P. Carj^euter. 
[Applause.] 

The Toast-Master. — There is one sentiment for which 
I know you have been looking, and now it shall come : — 

OcR Inhustrt, which has built up our prosperity ; the true work of magic 
by which straw and chip have been transformed into gold. May our harvest 
of hats ever be sewed by skilful hands, and every year increase in size; may the 
wheels of our industry never be blocked or pressed in their onward progress ; 
may the sails of our good ship, Union and Bay State, be trimmed to catch 
each transporting gale, and our course ever be shaped toward success : may 
the orders that are wired to her Captain Cook from all parts of the world be 
packed and shipped to accommodate customers. 

For a fitting response to this sentiment we must look to 
one to whom its mystei'ies are an open secret, and who has 
the key to them all, — Mr. A. T. Starkey. [Applause.] 

RESPONSE OF A. T. STARKEY, ESQ. 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I have not the 
facility to speak which belongs to those who have preceded 
me. My words, like the courage of Bob Acres, ooze a great 
deal more freely from my finger-ends than from my tongue. 
I therefore beg leave to rely a little upon my manuscript. 

The country in which we live is so vast in extent, its in- 
dustries are so varied in their character, and the population 
whose wants are to be supplied is so great, that it is not a 
source of wonder that the people of one section, and those 
identified with one business interest, should know but little 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 129 

Straw equipped your soldiers, in whose memory you 
built the quaint monumental pile which graces yonder corner. 
Straw furnished the means of support to the one hundred 
ladies who, on the nineteenth of April, 1861, proflered their 
services to the State as nurses to make up garments for the 
soldiers, to prepare lint and bandages, or to do anything for 
the cause of their country which it was in their power to do, 
— an offer which Governor Andrew, in his reply, character- 
ized as one of the most earnest and sincere of the countless 
proffers of devotion to the old Commonwealth and the cause 
of our country which it had been his pleasure to receive. 
Straw has paid your ministers, your doctors, and your school- 
teachers, your insurance and your tax-bills, and has made 
many a heart glad. 

I might extend the list of the benefits which straw has 
conferred upon our town indefinitely, but there is no need ; 
these are a few of the fruits which have grown out of the 
determination of a Yankee girl, only twelve years of age, to 
possess an article which her means forbade. 

Out of little Betsey Metcalf's brain has arisen a business 
which, in this town alone, has given employment to 3,291 
men and women in a single year, producing 2,473,819 hats, 
caps, bonnets, and head-coverings of every description, 
valued at cost, at $1,493,986.40; the disbursements for 
labor in the town and vicinity being $399,676.15. 

The United States census for 1870 gives the number of 
straw establishments in Massachusetts as 39, employing. 
11,341 hands, and producing goods to the value of $4,^69,- 
514 ; and in the United States as 75 establishments, employ- 
ing 14,925 hands, and producing $7,282,086 worth of goods. 
To this extent has the straw business grown. 

The story of the rise and growth of the business here ha» 
been told you to-day. 

We owe our prosperity to the indomitable perseverance of 
little Betsey Metcalf, and the straw towns owe it to them- 



130 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

selves and to justice to see that a monument of enduring 
bronze shall be erected to her memory, at no distant day, in 
some one of the towns her brains have benefited. 

We are told that " whoever shall make two blades of grass 
grow where only one was known before, deserves better of 
mankind and does more essential service to his country than 
the whole race of schemers who put their private ends above 
the public weal." 

If this be true, she who invents a business which gives 
employment to thousands, and builds happy homes where 
only the wildness of nature was known before, deserves a 
statue far more than he who leads thousands to death, for the 
sake of glory, or who uses the proud position his fellow- 
citizens have given him for his own selfish designs. 

Among the myriad industries which combine to render the 
hills and valleys of New England one vast workshop, and its 
population a bus3% thriving, and intelligent people, there is 
none which, from a more humble beginning, has grown to 
greater proportions, or which has carried comfort, ease, and 
even luxury, into more households in the section Avhere it 
flourishes than this working of straw. 

The business here in Foxborough has had its successes and 
its reverses, as all other branches of trade have, in all other 
places. I have been familiar with the business of the towni 
during nearly one half of the period since the various small 
shops which originally did the work were consolidated into 
the present establishment. 

I have known its joys and its trials. I have seen it in the 
hour of its greatest success and in its time of adversity. I 
have seen it perplexed to find help enough to do the work 
it was called upon to do, and I have seen it perplexed to 
ifind work enough for those w^hom it had called to its employ. 
I have seen it, in common with the general business of the 
•country, mount to a prosperity which carried joy to many a 
heart and comfort to many a household ; and I have seen it, 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 131 

with all other branches of trade, go clown that decline which 
inevitably follows an era of inordinately expanded business ; 
and in all that time, and under all circumstances, I have ever 
seen that the management of the business, under the various 
firms which have successively had control of it, has ever been 
most upright and honorable ; and I have seen that, when the 
hour of adversity came, no employe has ever lost one dollar 
of his or her wages through their financial disasters, — the 
losses which have come have ever fallen upon those who had 
invested Avith the hope of gain. 

It has ever been the endeavor to procure the best class of 
help attainable, and to treat them in such a manner that they 
shall desire to return here, year after year ; and this policy 
has hiid most complete success. 

The business feels the depression attendant upon all 
branches of trade fully as severely as an}^ other, as its suc- 
cesses are largely dependent upon the whims of Fashion. 

The time was when the old Union sat upon her gravel 
knoll, and from her throne of beauty ruled the world of 
Straw ; when she dictated style and price ; when a half- 
score of shapes sufficed to satisfy the demands of fashion all 
the year through, and when there was an outlet in the back 
country for the surplus of every season. 

Those golden days are fled, — two hundred shapes for 
ladies' wear, and a double score for men's, do not suffice to 
allay the constant cry for " something new." The great in- 
crease of railroad facilities has brought the liack country all to 
the front, and peopled every town and hamlet in the far West 
and South with a milliner, and she demands for her customers 
the very hitest thing produced. Competitors have arisen 
from those who have gone out from the old hive, and have 
carried the knowledge Avhich they there obtained to many a 
distant town and city, and to-day the old Union has to take 
her lotw^ith the rest, instead of having the lion's share, as she 
did of old. 



132 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

The progress of invention in this business has kept fall 
pace with invention in the world generally. The machinery 
for the work and the method for doing- it are chanofinof con- 
stantly ; the plans adapted to the business of one year 
will not answer for that of the next, so that a person who 
was familiar with the methods, the machinery, and the 
details of the business a few years ago, would be perplexed 
to follow the workings of it through all its windings, as at 
present organized and equipped. 

k 

" NeAv times demand new methods and new men, 
The world advances and full soon outgrows 
The ways our fathers thought were best ; 
And doubtless after us will wiser ways be planned 
By wiser men than we ; 
Made wiser by the steady growth of skill." 

Our fortunes are completely interwoven with the business 
which has built up the prosperity which we see around us ; all 
that the town is or has been is the result of its success ; its 
successes are our successes and its reverses are our mis- 
fortunes, — it is our sole dependence. 

It is and has been ably managed, and our gratitude, honor, 
and esteem, are due to that band of noble, honorable men 
who have carried the business up to the magnitude which it 
has attained. 

They have risked tl>eir means to achieve its success ; they 
have devoted the best hours of their lives to its service ; they 
have given their most earnest thoughts to its welfare, and, 
when prosperous times shall come again, they will be able, 
with our hearty, cordial, earnest support and assistance, to con- 
tinue to the business which a Baker invented ; which Carpen- 
ters builded, enlarged, and strengthened ; which has had its 
treasury guarded by a faithful, much-loved Kerr; whose plans 
are thoroughly Cooked^ and whose battles are well Faught, 
— that degree of prosperity which the past has known. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 133 

The Toast-Master. — Our honored Governor was pleased 
to refer to the longevity of the people of this town. It has 
been thought proper that some formal recognition of this 
fact should be made on this occasion, and a sentiment has 
been proposed : — 

To Our Octogenarians. 

" Honor and reverence, and the good repute 
That follows faithful service as its fruit, 
Be unto them, whom, living, we salute." 

It has been found that there are between thirty and forty 
residents of this town who have reached and passed the age 
of fourscore, so that at least one in every hundred of our 
population might respond to the sentiment which is proposed 
with a degree of strength which is not in every case labor 
and sorrow. There is one, however, who has a still higher 
claim to be heard, who has just passed her one hundredth 
natal anniversary, — r Mrs. Skelton, widow of the Rev. 
Thomas Skelton, who was settled in this place between 1807 
and 1816. We were hoping that she might have graced this 
occasion with her presence ; but a letter from her daughter, 
Mrs. C. E. Page, which I will read, will explain her 
absence : — 

"Boston, June 24, 1878. 
" W. D. Carpenter, Esq. : — 

" Dear Sir, — As the Matron of the ' Home ' neglected to 
reply to the invitation of the ' Centennial Committee,' I have 
deemed it a courtesy due 3'ou to decline for my mother, Mrs. 
Skelton, the invitation sent her to be present at your coming 
Centennial celebration. 

She thanks you for the kind remembrance and honor con- 
ferred, and would be most happy to avail herself of the pleas- 
ure it would bestow ; but feels that the fatigue and excitement, 
when added to fivescore years and six months of age, might 



134 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

be the means of shortening the life so many are desirous of 
preserving. Presuming you are the Mr. Wm. Carpenter 
whom I know and highly esteem, 

"Believe me, yours very truly and respectfully, 

"Mrs. C. E. Page." 

" God bless evermore the place of my nativity. 

"C. E. P." 

The Toast-Master. — The next sentiment in order is one 
to 

Our Honored Dead : Holy martyrs to independence and liberty ; may 
the dumb sentinel who keeps his silent watch on their memorial, yonder, re- 
view us there with our increasing years, in the due course of nature. 

To this sentiment, in which every heart must fervently 
unite, response will now be made by our esteemed fellow- 
citizen, Mr. Joseph E. Pond, Jr. 



EESPONSE OF JOSEPH E. POND, Jr., Esq. 

It is well, on an occasion like this, to bear in grateful re- 
membrance the memory of those heroic men who laid down 
their lives upon the altar of a country's sacrifice, for the 
purpose of maintaining and perpetuating the cause of inde- 
pendence and human liberty. Without them and their noble 
compeers, without the privations which they endured, with- 
out the sacrifices which they made in the holy cause of free- 
dom, we to-day would not be enjoying those blessings which 
we are now commemorating. Their deeds have passed into 
history, and nought is left for us to do l)ut give them the 
glorious meed of praise they have so nobly earned. Our 
triumphs are the result of their brave and heroic deeds, and 
so long as our country exists will the story of their labors 
and struggles be deeply engraved in the hearts of those who 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 135 

are left to enjoy the blessings and privileges of independence, 
freedom, and liberty. 

The tablets in our Memorial Hall, over which stands the 
silent sentinel placed there by the hands of appreciating 
friends, will ever bring to our minds and memories the rec- 
ollection of what we owe to them, and keep fresh and green, 
in our heart of hearts, the fact that by their death a country 
lived. 

For those who fought, bled, and died in the struggle for 
independence, all honor is due ; and we shall not be deemed 
as detracting from their nol)le deeds by giving them but a 
passing notice. But to those of a later day, — those who are 
more nearly related to our time, — those who gave up their 
lives for the establishment and preservation of human free- 
dom, we may be indulged for a moment in speaking more 
fully. On that dark day when our country was first divided 
against itself, and none could tell what the result would be, 
the spirit of the forefathers still lingered with the sons, and 
they left home and all that was dear to them with but a mo- 
ment's notice. They were the first to land upon the soil of 
Virginia,^ and hold possession of the most important fortress 
in the Union. The}^ participated in the first battle of that 
great struggle which has passed into history. Their record 
is one which ever will redound to the honor of the " Old Bay 
State," and will be prized among her richest historic treas- 
ures. The w^ar opened with a cannon-shot, and they showed 
themselves at the door. 

They have added new splendor to our revolutionary an- 
nals, and these brave sons of ours, who were killed in the 
memorable battles of the Eebellion, have rendered doubly 
sacred the day when the green sward of Lexington Common 
was drenched with the blood of their fathers. 

To-day, then, let us give their deeds all honor, all praise ; 

1 A Foxboroug-h private of Co. F, 4th Reg't M.V.M., was the first volunteer who 
landed upon Virg:iniau soil in response to President Lincoln's first call. 



1:56 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

f(ir to them is largely due the blessings and privileges which 
we are now enjoying. To history and our own hearts will 
be left the duty of keeping their memories alive. 

With their near and dear friends and relatives we to-day 
can sympathize, remembering that the roar of blank artillery 
which ushered in this auspicious morn was to them the echo 
of the death-knell of some fiither, son, or brother ; that the 
church-bells, which have just now rung out peals of rejoicing, 
not long ago were tolling the funeral chime of many who had 
been called to the home beyond the grave. 

" On fame's eternal camping-ground 

Their silent tents are spread ; 
. While angels guard, with silent round, 
The bivouac of the dead." 

It may demand the lapse of silent years to soften the real- 
ization of their loss ; but during the ages to come we shall 
brood over their memory ; into our hearts will breathe the 
inspirations of lofty and undying beauty, sublimity, and 
truth, in all the glowing forms of speech, of literature, and 
plastic art. By the traditions of the fireside, by the head- 
stones in the church-yard, consecrated to those whose forms 
repose in far-otf graves on the battle-ground Avhere they so 
bravely fought, and so nobly fell, they will still live embalmed 
in the hearts of succeeding generations of parents and child- 
ren.- Their names, their service, their fate, their glory, will 
never be forgotten, for through and by them came the ful- 
filment of the prophecy engraved on Independence Bell : — '- 

"Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto the inhabitants 
thereof." 

The To AST-Master. — The next toast is — 

The Early Ministers of Foxborough : Gratefully remembered for 
their faithful labors and their godly example. 

" They tried each heart, reproved each dull delay, 
Allured to brighter worlds and led the wav." 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 137 

You will bo glad to hear, in reply, one who for five years 
carried on among us the Avork of these early ministers, with 
a faithfulness, ability, and success which abide in our 
memories fresh and fragrant, — Rev. Bernard Paine. 

ADDRESS OF REV. BERNARD PAINE. 

Mr. President and Friends: — I am amazed at your 
patience and forbearance. Those who remain through these 
protracted services, and listen to a'll the addresses, should 
have their names enrolled and preserved in Memorial Hall 
for the next centennial. 

It is said that, somewhere among the hills of Western New 
York, there are two springs close together, either one of 
which a cow could drink dry in a summer's day ; yet the 
little stream Avhich flows from one forms the current of the 
St. Lawrence ; while the other, flowing southward, swells 
into the Mississippi, and enters the Gulf of Mexico. The 
forces which act at the beginning are the most efiective ; so 
the influence of the first ministers of Foxborough, in shaping 
the life and moral character of the town, cannot be easily 
estimated. It might seem fitting that some one more ad- 
vanced in years should speak of those who sowed the first 
seeds of truth in Foxborough, and have o-one to their 
reward ]} yet I feel honored in being asked to say a few 
words in their behalf. 

For thirty-nine years, or more than a third of the century, 
there was but one church in Foxborough, and that of the 
Congregational order. The Baptist Church then began its 
existence. More than two-thirds of the century had passed 
before the Universalist Society was organized. The early 
ministers of the town, who have died, therefore, were mostly 
Congregational . 

Of later ministers. Rev. J. M. Merrick, who came to the 

^ The sentiment was conveyed to the speaker, as referring only to those who have 
died, in distinction from those now living. 



138 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Universalist Society in 1867, from Walpole, deserves honor- 
able mention. During his stay of two years he served the 
town as Superintendent of Schools, and represented it in the 
Legislature, — a man universally esteemed. 

Of the Baptist ministers who have died, Rev. Mr. Ripley 
was a sound preacher and faithful man. The first minister 
of that society was Rev. Warren Bird. 

Returning now to the early ministers of the town, Thomas 
seems to have been a favorite name, for, of the first four 
pastors, three had this for their Christian name. The old 
partiality for the name seemed to revive when the church 
took a Thomas for one of their deacons. 

Of the eleven pastors whom this church has had during 
the century, seven have died. The first ministers, however, 
lived to a great age. At one time, during Mr. Pierce's 
ministry, when about half of the century must have passed, 
I am told that all of the first five pastors were living. 

The first minister of the town was Rev. Thomas Kendall. 
His ministry lasted fourteen years. All accounts agree that 
he was a man of genuine goodness. As a preacher he was not 
theological, after the pattern of that day, but preferred rather 
to ramble than to follow a precise method. A critic said of 
one of his sermons, " He went from Genesis to Revelation 
before he got through." There are persons, living in town, 
who remember hearing jMr. Kendall preach. One person, in 
particular, recollects distinctly his calling at the house, with 
Bible and hymn-book, — together with his reading and sing- 
ing. He used to sing all the hymns in one tune. 

There is not much of interest to relate concerning the second 
and third pastors. Indeed the church did not seem to feel 
that just the right man had come until the advent of Thomas 
WiUiams. His ministry lasted only five years, but it was 
eminently successful. Under his lead the church declared 
its independence of the town, and managed its own aftairs in 
the true spirit of a Congregational church. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 139 

They built a new church-building, the " Old Brick," now, 
so-called ; and, in doing so, they made great sacrifices. 

He was a man of quick sensibility, as well as vigorous in- 
tellect, and his preaching was with great feeling and power. 
But his mind gave way, probably from the overstraining of 
his mental faculties, and then he became eccentric. 

Many anecdotes are told of him. He had a penetrating 
look ; and I have been told that, once, when visiting Norton 
Female Seminary, during a season of revival, two words to a 
haughty young lady, accompanied by the gaze of his pierc- 
ing black eyes, arrested her attention, and subdued her to 
Christ. 

Those who knew him best will recall how, at times, his 
eyes would kindle, with the penetration of his mind and the 
fire of his soul. 

Of him it could be said, as the poet Byron says of the 
Apollo Belvidere : — 

" In his eye 
And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might, 
And majesty, flash tlieir full lightnings by. 
Developing, in that one glance, the Deity." 

The corruscations of his mind would sometimes break forth 
in a form of wit, which would come down with withering 
irony upon those who, at the time, were objects of his dis- 
pleasure. 

Once, at a convention of ministers, he became offended, 
and, as a brother Avho was opening a session with prayer, 
besought the Lord to smile upon the meeting, Father 
Williams broke forth derisively, " Smile ! If the Lord 
should look down upon this convention he Avould laugh 
right out." 

Mr. Williams lived till he was ninety-seven years old, his 
life extending almost up to our centennial day ; yet he was 
one of the early ministers of Foxborough. So, also, was the 



140 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Rev. Willard Pierce, his immediate successor in the pastoral 
office. Though his health was feeble, his ministry was the 
longest of all, extending fifteen years, — one year longer 
than that of the first minister, Rev. Thomas Kendall. 

He was a gifted scholar, and came within one of receiving 
the valedictory at college, which, it is said, he deserved. 
His sermons were clear and bracing as an October sky, and 
his influence strong and wholesome, especially upon the boys 
and young men. He organized the first Sabbath school in 
town. He afterward preached many years in Abington. 
On a certain occasion Mr. Pierce preached before the Nor- 
folk Conference, and at the close of his discourse Dr. Bur- 
gess, of Dedham, said to Dr. Codman, of Dorchester, "It is 
of no use to talk about it ! We ministers around Boston 
can't preach like the country ministers. They go into their 
studies and stick to their sermons, while we are running 
about." 

It is proper to mention, in this connection, the pastorate of 
Rev. N. S. Dickinson; for, although he was not among the 
early ministers, he was one of those who have passed away. 

For ten years his work was strong and successful. His 
preaching will compare with that of Mr. Williams and Mr. 
Pierce, Indeed it may be truly said that these three men 
ranked high among the sturdy champions of the truth, who 
were developed out of the theological controversies of the 
early part of this century. To some they might seem like 
those lofty trees sometimes met with in mountainous regions, 
bare of foliage, but rising high above the surrounding wil- 
derness. Though destitute of ornament, they are clad with 
strength. Let the names of this triumvirate of the pulpit 
find an honorable place in the centennial records of the 
town. 

Were it not for trenching upon your patience, and the 
bounds set for my remarks, I would like to go further, and 
speak of Rev. Daniel J. Poor, who did good service as a 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 141 

pastor, won many friends, and who died recently at the West. 
And also, in line with the sentiment which has called forth 
these remarks, I would like to call special attention to those 
works and influences of the early ministers, which, though 
out of our sight, have been working silently and mightily for 
good. We have their names, but their best works, — the 
steady influence of a good life, the " line upon line and pre- 
cept upon precept," in the faithful exhibition of the gospel 
from week to Aveek, — these are hid from our view by the 
interval of years. 

On a clear day, from one of the peaks of the Adirondacks, 
can be seen, far away on the northern horizon, a small sur- 
face, white and glistening, — it is the river St. Lawrence. 
You can see neither source nor outlet. The eye is powerless 
to discern the waves, as they heave along the banks, or the 
impetuous flowing of the current. It sees only a gleam of 
light. So, as to-day we look back to the early ministers of 
Foxborough, though the current of their daily lives is, to a 
great extent, viewless, yet a gleam of light is reflected from 
their names, bright as from heaven's gate, and radiant as the 
Saviour's transfigured garment, because they had been bap- 
tized from above to preach the everlasting gospel, and so 
their names shall be had in everlasting remembrance. 

The Toast-Master. — If you will have five minutes' 
more patience you shall be dismissed. The town of Fox- 
borough derived its existence from four other towns ; 
namely, Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughton, Stoughtonham. 
Now, we wish to ofler a sentiment to the honor of our 
immediate progenitor, but we find the situation a little 
embarrassing. I will venture, however, to offer the follow- 
ing : — 

Our Mother Town : Though there are too many of her for an undi- 
vided love, yet her chiUlren and grand-children to-day dutifully present to 
each of her, severally, their wish that she may live a thousand years. 



142 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Rev. Mr. Wm. R. Tompkins, of Wrentham, has kindly 
consented to respond briefly for the company of her. 



ADDRESS OF REV. MR. TOMPKINS. 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I find myself 
somewhat embarrassed, as you may very well understand, in 
replying to a sentiment of this kind. This mother of Avhom 
you have heard stands before you to-day ; but in what way 
a response can be made for a part of her, and not for the rest, 
I cannot very well understand. But I will do the best I 
can- in two or three words, for you knoAv the circumstances 
are such that I must not occupy your time now with any 
extended remarks. 

I am not a native of Wrentham, and I will not claim that 
I have the same feeling toward Wrentham and her bound- 
aries that a native-born citizen might have. But I am an 
adopted son, and as such I do not see why I have not 
received the same favors at her hands, been treated as 
kindly, and made as much at home, as though I had never 
lived anywhere else. And now, when her name is brought 
before you, I think it would not be grateful in me to refuse 
to respond for her when invited to do so, and I have simply 
this duty to do to-night at this hour. I have to bring you 
the greeting of the good mother, and to say to you that she 
is in as good health as could be expected under the circum- 
stances. She is, perhaps, not quite as vigorous as she was 
once ; but yoxi know she is more than two hundred years old. 
Still she preserves, so far as I know, all her natural beauty, 
and you know she was always proud of that, and had reason 
to be. It is a little doubtful, whether in all this part of the 
Commonwealth, there is another township that has a larger 
degree of beauty than the old town of Wrentham, your 
mother. Her style of dress has slightly changed, in accord- 
ance with the fashion. Years ago she wore ample skirts, or 



FOXBOROUGU CENTENNIAL RECORD. 143 

outskii"ts, perhaps you would call them, — very ample and 
very broad, in accordance with the fashion. [Laughter.] 
As her age advanced they have been cut in, curtailed per- 
haps, you might say, on this side and that, until now they are 
of very moderate and modest dimensions, in accordance with 
the fashion. Wrentham, I say, is proud. She always was 
proud, and she has been lately, I think, called proud and poor. 
I don't know about the poor, but she is proud. I think she is 
proud now of something she was not so proud of one hundred 
years ago. I remember a story of a Roman matron ; I have 
almost forgotten the story, but I think I can give you the 
outlines of it. Once a friend of hers, of great wealth, ex- 
hibited to her her costly jewels, which she thought were quite 
unsurpassed ; after having displayed them to the greatest 
advantage, she said to her in eifect, " Why, I suppose you 
have costly jewels too," — designing, I fear, to triumph over 
her a little, as it is said ladies sometimes like to do, — '' and 
I should like to see them." Not to be beaten, this noble 
Roman matron called her two sons, and, placing her hands 
upon their heads, said, "These are my jew^els." Now% sir, 
Wrentham is not proud of her broad acres, for they are not 
so broad as they once were ; she is not proud of her great 
wealth, for she is not among the most wealthy towns ; she is 
not proud of her extensive manufactories, — she has some, 
but they are not of the largest ; but she is proud of her 
daughters, and Foxborough is one of them. [Applause.] 
She says, — and I think with great truth, when she thinks of 
Franklin, and Foxborough, and Norfolk — all with plenty of 
room to grow, sir [Laughter] — "" These are my daughters ; 
^\\\o can do better?" And to-day, as you exhibit to us the 
evidence of your thrift, of your beauty, of your enterprise, 
Wrentham is proud of the exhibition, and she says, in a cer- 
tain sense, "These are mine, and I glory in them." 

I will not take up your time, Mr. Chairman ; I only prom- 
ised to respond as briefly as possible. There are other 



;14:4 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

things that I might say, but I will not enter upon them now. 
You have been pleased to say, " May she " — I don't know, 
but I suppose that means as many as there are of her, and 
that includes Wrentham — " may she live a thousand years." 
Yes, sir ; she means to, she intends to, live a thousand years. 
Perhaps, by and by, when she has rested a little, she may 
renew her youth and be as great and as prosperous as any of 
her children ; and when she is a thousand years old she Avill 
have her tenth centennial anniversary, and may you, sir, be 
there to see. [Applause.] 

The Toast-Master. — We had hoped to hear from Hon. 
J. B. D. CoGSAVELL, President of the Senate of Massachu- 
setts ; also from Hon. John D. Long, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives; also from Mr. George A. Marden, of 
the Lowell " Courier" ; but they are all gone, and I have but 
one more sentiment to offer, and I understand that he who 
was to respond to it has gone also. After I have read the 
toast, which you will say ought to be read, the meeting ^\\\\ 
be passed into the hands of the President once more : — 

The Orator of the Dat : The architect who planned, and one of the 
carpenters who built up, the business which has conduced to our prosperity. 
Let us hope that the structure which they have erected may never be suf- 
fered to decay. 

The Hon. E. P. Carpenter would have the floor if he was 
here. 

The sentiments and responses which were unavoidably 
omitted, because of lack of time, are here published. 



Cape Cod : The strong right-arm of Massachusetts ; extended in beckon- 
ing welcome to our friends, bent in menacing defense against our foes. Her 
sons have made their mark on the face of the whole world. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 145 



RESPONSE BY HON. J. B. D. COGSWELL. 

Mr. President : — I am happy to participate in the cele- 
bration of the cla}^ and much gratified at being introduced 
to respond to the sentiment which has just been i-ead, so 
complimentar}^ to my birthplace and home. But I must not 
permit myself to speak of Cape Cod : this occasion belongs 
to the men of Foxborough, — descendants of those -svho, 
nearly one hundred years ago, in petitioning the General 
Court, whilst declaring " We are but an infant," yet pro- 
tested, " AVe are entirely willing to sacrifice our all in the 
cause, if it be necessary." 

The patriotism of the founders of Foxborough would be 
sufiicieiitly attested by the name they adopted. As early as 
1774, Charles James Fox espoused the cause of the Colonies, 
and defended their conduct. He opposed the Boston Port 
Bill. He endeavored to dissuade Great Britain from war 
with America. He predicted that men fighting for their 
liberties must be successful. He foresaw the great event of 
American Independence. In his devotion to our cause, his 
zeal had been so great as to call down upon himself the im- 
placable resentment of George the Third, who wrote to Lord 
North, Feb. 15, 1774: "I am greatly incensed at the pre- 
sumption of Charles Fox in forcing you to vote with him 
last night." The king once declared " that he had taken a 
positive determination not to admit Mr. Fox into his coun- 
cils, even at the hazard of a civil war." But in 1806, on the 
death of Mr. Pitt, the king was forced to recognize his cfi-eat 
rival. But Mr, Fox was also a member of the Kocki no-ham 
administration, in 1782 ; to which, says May, "King George 
submitted with a bad grace." Its first principle was the 
concession of Independence to America, which he had so 
long resisted. In 1778, the year of the incorporation of 
Foxborough, Mr. Fox proposed and advocated throwing 
open the galleries of the House of Commons to the public. 



146 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

He early, and always strenuously, supported the abolition 
of the African slave-trade. Speaking on that subject in 
1781, he said : "High and low, rich and poor, are equal in 
the sight of God." 

Mr. May, in his " Constitutional History of England,' 
records the followinsf hisfh euloefium of Fox as a statesman : — 

" The success of Mr. Fox was due to his natural genius, 
and to the great principles of liberty which he advocated. 
Familiar with the best classical models, he yet too often dis- 
dained the studied art of the orator, and was negligent and 
unequal in his efibrts. But when his genius was aroused 
within him, he was matchless in demonstrative argument, 
in force, in wit, in animation and spontaneous eloquence. 
More than any orator of his time, he carried with him the 
feelings and convictions of his audience, and the spirit and 
reality of the man charm us scarcely less in his printed 
speeches. Wanting in discretion, he w*as frequently be- 
trayed into intemperance of language and opinion ; but his 
generous ardor in the cause of liberty still appeals to our 
sympathies, and his broad constitutional principles are lessons 
of political wisdom." 

More fortunate than their neighbors of Mansfield, incor- 
porated in 1770, who afterwards regretted that they had 
adopted the name of the great Tory law lord for their new 
town, and agitated a change, the people of Foxboro ugh never 
have, and never can blush for the name they bear. I give 
you, in closing, the memory and fame of Charles James Fox. 

ADDRESS OF ELLIS AMES, ESQ. 
The proof is conclusive that the town of Foxborough was 
named from the Hon. Charles James Fox, a member of the 
English House of Commons, a popular idol, Avho led a for- 
midable party in Parliament, and whom neither Burke nor 
Pitt, nor any other Englishman, could ever approach to an 
equality with, on account of his marvellous powers. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 147 

Before the adoption of the constitution of Massachusetts, 
on October 25, 1780, there were three periods of time when 
the names of toAvns were peculiarly different. It is well 
known to historians that nearly every town in England bears 
the same name that it did before the Norman conquest, in the 
year 106(3. Our ancestors, before the second charter, upon 
incorporating a ncAV town, named it after some English town ; 
and hence our towns created during the colonial charter 
have the genuine Saxon ring to them, such as Ipswich, 
Lynn, Gloucester, Salisbury, Wenham, Manchester, Chelms- 
ford, Swanzey, Barnstable, Sandwich, Yarmouth, Falmouth, 
Lancaster, Worcester, Leicester, Shrewsbury, Leominster, 
Dorchester, Plymouth, Dartmouth, Weymouth, Wrentham, 
Dunstable, and the like. 

During Ifhe provincial period, from June 8, 1692, until 
June 17, 1774, it w^as regarded as the perquisite of the royal 
governors to give names to the newly incorporated towns. 
After a bill incorporating a new town had passed to be 
enacted, and had been sent down to the secretary's office to 
l>e engrossed on parchment, the engrossing clerks left a 
blank space for the name of the town to be filled in ; and we 
now see, on overhauling the old parchment files, that the 
governors of that period, when they signed, approving an 
act incorporating a town, filled in with their own hands the 
names for such towns, to suit their fancy. In thus naming 
towns the royal governors complimented the English tory 
statesmen of their respective times, by such names as Hard- 
wick, Mansfield, Grafton, liichmond, Lenox, Walpole, War- 
wick, Shelburne, Pelham, and Halifax. 

But after a while, during the provincial period, the royal 
governors began to think of immortalizing themselves, and 
to name the newly incorporated towns after their predecessors 
in office, by such names as Phippsburg and Pownalborough ; 
then in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, now in the 
State of Maine, Bellingham, Shutesbury, Bernardstown, Bel- 



148 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

chertown, Shirley, Dudley; and lastly Hutchinson, incor- 
porated at the very last session of our Genera} Court, in 
June, 1774, that a royal governor ever dared to meet a 
Massachusetts House of Representatives. 

After the battle of Bunker Hill no Tory British statesman 
or royal governor was ever complimented by naming a town 
after him ; but the names of towns incorporated then were 
Hancock, Washington, Lee, Adams, Franklin, Warren, 
Montgomery, and Foxborough. 

At the May session, 1776, of our General Court fourteen 
towns that had been named from royal governors and 
British Tory statesmen, who had publicly expressed them- 
selves hostile to the rights of America, sent in their petitions 
to have their names changed, declaring that they wished no 
longer to l)ear the odious names of persons hostile to the 
natural and stipulated rights of America. Among those 
fourteen towns were your neighbors the inhabitants of the 
town of Mansfield, named in honor of Lord Mansfield, then 
the famous Chief Justice of England. 

But the most famous case was on the petition to the General 
Court of the town of Hutchinson, now Barre, upon Avhich 
petition was enacted, at the May session, 177G, the act dis- 
continuing the name of Hutchinson, and calling the town 
ever after by the name of Barre. By way of pream])le the 
act recited that " Whereas the Inhabitants of the town of 
Hutchinson have, by their petition, represented to this Court, 
that in June, 1774, when the said town was incorporated, 
General Gage, the then Governor, gave it the name of 
Hutchinson, in Honor to, and to perpetuate the name of 
Thomas Hutchinson, his immediate Predecessor in the Chair 
of Government, whom they justly style the Avell-known 
Enemy of the natural and stipulated rights of America, and 
that, at a town meeting notified for that purpose, they voted 
unanimously to petition, and accordingly have petitioned the 
General Court, that the name of the said toAvn might be 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 149 

altered, and that it might no longer bear the disgraceful 
name of Hutchinson ; 

" And Avhereas there is a moral fitness that traitors and 
parricides, especially such as have remarkably distinguished 
themselves in that odious character, and have long labored to 
deprive their native country of its most valuable Rights and 
privileges, and to destroy every Constitutional Guard against 
the evils of an all inslaving Despotism, should be kept up to 
Public View in their true characters, to be execrated by Man- 
kind ; and that there should remain no other memorials of 
them than such as will transmit their Names with Infamy to 
Posterity ; 

"And whereas the said Thomas Hutchinson, contrary to 
every Obligation of Dut}^ and Gratitude to this, his native 
country, has acted towards her the part of a traitor and 
parricide, and by his having thus acted, it has become fit 
and just that every honorable Memorial of him should be 
obliterated and cease ; Therefore 

" Be it enacted by the Council and House of Represent- 
atives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay in General Court 
assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That the Land 
lying in the County of Worcester, formerly called Rutland 
District, and in June, 1774, incorporated into a town by the 
name of Hutchinson, shall no longer bear that name, but 
henceforth shall be called and known by the name of Barre." 

Barre had been a colonel in the British army, and upon 
resigning his military station had been elected to the House 
of Commons, and made speeches in the House, with much 
power, justifying the Americans. 

Such was the pressure of business in our General Court 
during the political year 1776-77 that action upon the thir- 
teen other petitions was postponed, and the matters thereof 
never after resumed. 

June 10, 1778, the day when Foxborough was incorpor- 
ated, was a joyful day in America. The great British army, 



150 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

under Burgoyne, intended to crush New England, as the 
soul of the rebellion, had surrendered on the 17th of October 
preceding, and the survivors were then quartered, as prisoners 
of war, in huts and tents on Bunker Hill and the adjoining 
hill, under guard ; and France had acknowledged the inde- 
pendence of the United States, and was at war with Great 
Britain. The assembling of Pai-liament had been unduly 
postponed, in order to afford the king an opportunity of 
congratulating the British Legislature on the suppression of 
the rebellion in America by the victories that should be 
obtained by the army inider Burgoyne. Parliament met 
before the news of the capture of Burgoyne : and the king 
made his address to them on the 20th of November, 1777. 
Debates on the address ensued, when the Earl of Chatham, 
and other members of the House of Lords, arraigned the 
administration for their war with America ; but the adminis- 
tration was sustained in that House by a vote of nearly four 
to one. 

On the day succeeding that vote the administration party 
in Parliament was humbled as never was a political party 
humbled before or since, by the arrival of the news of the 
utter defeat of the British army under Burgoyne, in several 
pitched battles, and the surrender of the entire force under 
his command as prisoners of war. 

On the 17th of February, 1778, Lord North brought into 
the House of Commons his conciliatory bills ; when Mr. 
Fox arraigned the administration for the war with America, 
Avhen never was the inexpressible absurdity of the minis- 
terial measures more apparent than at that moment. In the 
course of his speech Mr. Fox asked what punishment would 
be sufficient for those ministers who adjourned Parliament in 
order to make propositions of concession, and then neglected 
to do it until France had concluded a treaty with the inde- 
pendent States of America, acknowledging them as such. 
Mr. Fox then first informed the House of Commons, and 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 151 

through them tlic people of Great Britain, that, encouraged 
by the capture of Burgoyne, France had ten days before 
concluded a treaty with the Americans ; and he then declared, 
in the House of Commons, that the conciliatory bills offered 
by Lord North were as useless to the peace as they were 
humiliating to the dignity of Britain. 

From the moment of the delivery of that speech by Mr. 
Fox, which operated upon the British people with great 
effect, no sane man doubted that Great Britain would be 
obliged to acknowledge the independence of America. 

Between the 17th of February, 1778, and the assembling of 
our General Court, on the last Wednesday of May, 1778, Mr. 
Fox's speech had been circulated in America, and what other 
name could the General Court and this people then give to this 
toAvn, incorporated June 10, 1778, than that which should do 
honor to the memory of the great Charles James Fox? 

Who does not wish that the legal voters of Foxboroujjh 
at their first meeting could (as they might have done had it 
been in time of peace) have sent an address to the Hon. 
Charles James Fox, thanking him for his speech of the 17th 
Feb., 1778, in the House of Commons, and informing him 
that they had perpetuated his memory to all time, by naming 
their new town in honor of him, and have received a reply 
from him, the greatest orator that ever spoke the English 
tongue ? 

Sentiment : The Sons and Daughters of Foxborough, who liave gone 
abroad, but, ever loyal to their native home, have returned to celebrate 
with us her first Centennial Day. 

RESPONSE BY JOSEPH E. BARTLETT, M.D., BOSTON. 

Mr. President, Kindred and Friends: — We are pro- 
foundly grateful to the committee, for their kind invitation 
to be present, and for the cordial welcome this morning. 
We thank them heartily, also, for this opportunity to partici- 
pate in these novel and interesting services. 



152 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

But who is able to marshal, in fit array, the multitudinous 
host of thoughts that come thronging to this vast assembly, 
struggling for permission to enter, and to he heard, during 
this brief, solemn, yet joyous hour ? 

We shall admit a ver}^ limited number only of such topics 
as seem to us most appropriate, and propose to hold com- 
munion Avith them for a few moments. 

In reply, more especially to the toast just read, Ave remark 
that there is a sentiment, felt by every human being, — though 
too subtle to be fully expressed by words, — of attachment 
to certain 2Kirticular locations. xVnd the sons and daughters 
of Foxborough, who have gone abroad, need no second bid- 
ding, at any time, in order to hasten with flying footsteps 
back in answer to your call ; for, wherever we may happen 
to live, whether in the country or in the city, in a cottage or 
in a palace, in the immediate neighborhood or in remoter 
parts of the land, or in lands beyond the sea, — the heart, 
like the needle to the pole, turns ever with affectionate long- 
ings to the spot where our existence began ; where our 
childhood and youth were nurtured ; where those who gave 
us being happily still linger, or, in the sacred soil near by, 
their precious dust is safely garnered to its last repose, — and 
that is the spot forever associated in our memories with the 

word HOME. 

We return with a desire to express our lively sense of obli- 
gation to the loj'al sons and daughters of Foxborough who 
have clung to the old hearthstone, and have watched over our 
venerable and beloved Alma Mater with such filial devotion 
and fostering care, that we find her fair as a maiden in her 
bloom, though clad in the queenly robes of matronly dignity 
and beauty, on this, her centennial day. 

We desire to return our hearty thanks to those who con- 
ceived the idea of this observance and celebration ; our ad- 
miration for the inimitable taste and skill in the plan and in 
its execution ; for such an exhibition of industrial wealth as 



FOXBOROUGU CENTENNIAL RECORD. 153 

the Bubstjintial basis of a triumphal pageant, upon which 
chihlhood gazes with inquiring w^onder and is glad ; ingenuous 
youth suspends his sport to learn its meaning ; busy manhood 
forgets his toil, and hoary age is conscious of a new rapture. 

Nor can Ave omit to acknowledge our debt to Foxboroujjh's 
honored son, the orator of the day, wdio, with his reaper 
keen, has swept the held of recorded history, and gleaned 
from the annals of tradition, brinoino' us sheaves laden 
with facts and illustrations so comprehensive, felicitous, 
and true. 

Many who hear me can trace their lineage directly to the 
Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, or to those who established 
the colony of Massachusetts Bay. We are tilled with 
w^onder and admiration as w^e contemplate the marvellous 
variety of gifts and capabilities of that race of men and 
women. They had courage that dared to cross the ocean 
in a shallop. They subdued the forests and the wily foe 
concealed therein. 

Their system of government was adapted to the needs of 
the few or the many. It was sufficient for the family, the 
school district, the town, the county, the State, the union of 
States into a nation wider in its domains and more imperial 
in its powder than Pome ever knew. Coming down to our 
more immediate ancestors, we find them possessed of the 
same characteristics, substantially, of those Avho first con- 
quered and settled the land. AVe find them honorable, per- 
severing, and successful tillers of the soil ; the patrons of edu- 
cation and sound morals ; skilful in invention ; enei'getic pro- 
moters of the mechanical and industrial arts ; distinguished 
in the various professions ; in the framing of constitutions ; in 
the halls of justice and of legislation ; in the sacred pulpit ; 
by deeds immortal, on the field of battle. 

Mr. President, what the sires won the sons have been 
able to protect. Since the birthday of this town, and since 
the establishment of our Independent Republican Form of 



154 FOA'BOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Government, less than fivescore A^ears ago, in the old world 
kings and kingdoms have been overthrown and trampled in 
the dust ; on their ruins empires have arisen, and they, too, 
have been overturned. The old eifete dynasties are crum- 
bling from internal deca}^ and the advancing hosts of a newer 
and better civilization. 

Happily for us the germ planted at Plymouth struck its 
roots deep into the earth, and. as with a grain of mustard 
seed, the tree sprung from that root has withstood the shock 
of every tempest, stretching its mighty arms until under its 
benign shadow an empire of forty million freemen sit in 
safety — and "its leaves are for the healijig of the nations." 
It is true, that, now and then, parasitic vermin may nestle 
in its branches, and, for a season, may mar the beauty of its 
foliage. Malign spirits, such as plotted rebellion in heaven 
itself, may have the audacity to strike at the very pillars of 
our Political temple! 

" The feeble sea-birds, blinded in the storms, 
Against the light-house dash their little forms, 
And the inide granite scatters for their pains 
Those small deposits that were meant for brains." 

Nevertheless, unrent, the great Arch of our Union, 
founded on constitutional liberty and law, still stands — 

" Like some tall cliflF that lifts its awful form. 
Springs from the rale and midway leaves the storm, 
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 

But the hours of this summer day are fleeting, and the 
precious moments that remain belong to others. We di'sire, 
in a word, to define our position in life's passing drama. 
The past is secure. We believe in the future. We walk 
both by faith and sight. We believe that the predicted ages 
of righteousness and love will come. We believe there are 
conquests of peace, that deserve to be, "uot less renowned 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 155 

than war." We acknowledge and proclaim our allegiance to 
the principles of Immanuel, the Prince of Peace, and when- 
ever, in the providence of God, we may be called to stand, or 
to act, under that banner we pledge ourselves to labor, — 

" Till crowned with victory at His feet, 
We lay our armor down." 

In closing the services in the tents, the President said : — 
We have now to thank you for your attendance here this day. 
We hoped to see a very large nimiber here, and we certainly 
have been gratified in this respect. So far as we in Foxbor- 
ough are concerned we have had a very pleasant time, and 
we hope our friends from abroad have enjoyed it. When 
the next hundred years come around, we hope you will be 
here to aid us in these ceremonies. With that we bid you 
farewell for the present time. 



GREETINGS FROM ABSENTEES. 

Of the hundreds of letters received in response to, and 
reluctantly declining the invitation to be present, we can 
give but few, although they all denoted fervent good-will 
toward the town and expressions of regret that they would 
be deprived of the pleasure of mingling with those who 
were so fortunate as to be able to accept. 

[From Rev. Otis Gary, Jr.] 

KoBK, Japan, July 13, 1878. 
To the Centennial Invitation Committee : — 

The invitation to attend the Centennial Exercises in Foxborough, 
June 29tb, was received yesterday. I regret that I cannot be pres- 
ent at the celebration, but trust that the occasion will be one of 
great interest, and a means of quickening that local patriotism 
which eveiy person should feel toward his native or adopted town. 



156 FOXBO ROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Hold! what am I writing? The da}' is past; the celebration is 
over ; I am sadU' behind tlie times. 

Well, what better could be expected from one eight thousand 
miles away from enlightened Massachusetts, and whose latest 
newspapers from Boston and Foxborough bear date of June Tth? 
Though so far away from m}' native town, T can rejoice in its past 
prosperit}' and liope for its future. Tlie history of Foxborough is 
not one to attract the notice of outside people ; but in a land where 
nearly ever3' village finds a place in history as the scene of some 
bloody contest or deed of violence, I can understand how much 
better is that silent progress which may be unmarked by great 
events. 

May the next century of Foxborough's history be one of con- 
tinued growth; material, intellectual, moral, and spiritual. May 
all that was good in the men of past generations be copied 
hy us. At the same time bearing in mind that we walk in the 
light of their experience and surrounded b}' greater advantages, 
let us remember the words of Wendell Phillips, ^' We are not so 
good as our forefathers unless we are better than they." If the 
present generation and those succeeding fill aright their allotted 
place, the progress of Foxborough will be proportionally greater 
in its second than it has been in its first century. 

Yours, trul3', 

OTIS GARY, Jr. 



LaCuosse, Wis., June 12, 1878. 
Centennial Committee : — 

Dear Sirs,' — Nothing but the great distance would keep me from 
mingling with 3'ou on the centenaiy of the town which was the 
scene of my earliest ministerial labors. 

Very truly, 

E. Y. GARRETTE. 



Jacksonville, III., June 6, 1878. 
Centennial Invitation Committee, W. D. Carpenter, Sec'y: — 

It would be a J03- to me to be present and once more take my 
old friends by the hand ; but it ma}' not be. May God be with 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 157 

3'on, and smile upon yonv meeting. The sweetest reminiscences 
and nearest regards and greetings to one and all of the remnant of 
those I knew and loved in the 3'ears that are gone. 

WM. BARNES. 



Brooklyn, N. Y., Jnne 25, 1878. 
I have retained this card until now, hoping that I might be able 
to attend a celebration (Centennial) of the town where my father 
was born, and where mj grandfather. Doctor Shadrach Winslow, 
lived and died, and where my wife's father, Edwin Stearns, was 
born and passed his 3-outh. I now think I shall be unable to 
attend. Respectfully yours, 

D. C. WINSLOW. 



U. S. Steamer Hartley. ") 

San Francisco, Cal., June 19, 1878. J 

To the Executive Committee., Foxborough Centennial : — 

Gentlemen, — Your kind and flattering invitation extended to 
me, to attend the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of 
Foxborough, has this day been received, and I assure you nothing 
but the imperative demands of duty, and the distance intervening 
between us, prevents my participating in your glorious Centennial. 
While I am forced to decline the honor accorded me, in spirit and 
sentiment I am with you, and from the golden shores of the. distant 
Occident, I, as an humble son of Foxborough, send ^ou greeting. 
Glancing backward mental]}' through the space of one hundred 
years, when the republic, founded b}- our forefathers, numbering 
less than two and a half millions, was struggling for those prin- 
ciples for which the}' were willing to offer up their lives, and all 
their hearts held dear on the altar of liberty, — what strides have 
been made, what wonderful changes and improvements have 
marked the past century. The republic which was born in poverty 
and obscurit}' is now the wonder of the civilized world, but its future 
growth and destiu}' no man may venture to foretell. Our native 
town, I am proud to say, has kept pace with the grand march of 
events, and, like the parable of the grain of mustard seed, the 



158 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

little township of ancient da^'s has not been allowed to die of 
neglect and obscurity on barren ground. 

Gentlemen, I came from a sea-going race, and my ancestors, 
one hundred years ago, helped to sustain our flag mast-head high 
before the haughty cross of St. George, and awoke the echoes of 
the English Channel with the thunder of their cannon. In the late 
war I followed the example handed down to me by m}' ancestors, 
and the memories of Port Ro3'al, Roanoke Island, Charleston, and 
Fort Fisher will never be effaced from mj- memor}'. 

But I will not trespass longer on your time and patience, and to 
those wanderers who to-day return to the homes of their child- 
hood, to take again their old places at the paternal fireside, may 
they, while enjoying the hospitalit}" of our good old town, remember 
those wlio are absent, — some who have obeyed the call of the Great 
Admiral, and ascended to an eternal anchorage aloft, while others 
wander far from the loved ones, but with the spirit of patriotism 
and sentiment of love of home burning with an undying flame in 
their hearts. 

With sincere congratulations, and an earnest wish for the con- 
tinued prosperity and welfare of our native town, I remain, very 
truly and sincerly, your obedient servant, 

H. D. SMITH, 
1st Lieut. Com'd'g U.S.R.M. 



Denver, Colo., June 5, 1878. 

Gentlemen: — It would aflTord me the greatest pleasure to be 
with you on the 29th, but I cannot, conveniently, put in an appear- 
ance on that day ; am in hopes, however, to visit my birthplace 
and see the wonderful changes that have taken place since my last 
visit, twelve years ago. I have seen much of the world, but am 
as proud of hailing from Foxborough as I would be from any 
portion of earth that I know of. I hope that all will have a good 
time and enjoy life intensel}*, as does 

Yours, truly, 

GEO. COPELAND. 



FOXBO ROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 159 

Austin, Min-n., June 20. 
I regret to say I must decline your kind invitation. You may 
be assured of my hearty syrapatliy. May the experience of the 
occasion exceed your most sanguine anticipations, and its record, 
however satisfactory, be far exceeded by a brighter future. 

Yours, etc., 

ELBRIDGE H. PACKARD. 



New York, June 22, 1878. 

Mr. W. D. Carpenter, Secretary Centennial Invitation Commit- 

t^e ' — 
Dear Sir, — The invitation, through your committee, of the 
town of Foxborough, to be present at its centennial celebration, is 
at hand, for which please accept my thanks. I very much regret 
that my engagements are such that it will be inconvenient for me 
to be present on the interesting occasion, as it would give me great 
pleasure to witness the memorial ceremonies, and, also, once more 
greet my old friends and acquaintances, yea, all who now or have 
resided "there. Although absent from my native town for now some 
thirty years, yet I have not, and trust never shall so long as life 
lasts, cease to have the peace, happiness, and prosperity of its 
citizens near my heart. It has ever been a source of gratification 
to me that I was raised in a town whose record has been so 
honorable ; whose citizens have done so much for education, tem- 
perance, morality, and Christianity, and, through all the trials that 
our country has passed, so patriotic. 

Trusting that its future, down through the ages to come, may be 
still more glorious, and again thanking you and the citizens of the 
town for their kind consideration, 

I am sincerelv vours, 

HENRY HODGES. 



East Jaffret, N.H., June 28, 1878. 
Dear Sir: — I regret to say that I shall be unable to be at 
Foxborough to-morrow to participate in its centennial celebration. 
The little more than three years' residence which it was my privi- 



160 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

lege to enjo}' in jour town, gave me an interest in its welfare 
which will long be cherished with pleasure, and the prosperity of 
the town will ever be a source of pleasure to me. 

I wish 3-ou a successful and happy celebration of Foxborough's 
centennial. 

Yours trul}', 

JAMES H. LITTLE, 

Pastor of the Universalist Church, Foxboi^ough, 
from Sept., 1869, to Dec, 1873. 
To R. W. Carpenter, Esq., for the Executive Committee of Ar- 
rangements. 

St. John, N.B., June 24, 1878. 

Dear Sir : — I take tliis opportunity' to thank, through 3'ou, the 
Centennial Committee for their cordial invitation to be present at 
the ceremonies and festivities of the 29th. 

I am sorr}' that circumstances will not permit of ni}' being pres- 
ent, and my onh' excuse for ni}' seeming tardiness in answering 
the invitation is, that I have put it off until the last moment, 
hoping that I might be enabled to attend. . You have my heartiest 
sympathies on tliis occasion, and, as one of Foxborough's sons, T 
shall claim the privilege of participating in mind, if not in person, 
in the day's proceedings. It has always been my boast, since I left 
ni}' native town, that it was the most beautiful in New England, 
and, to me, in the universe. Ma}' she go on increasing in beauty 
and prosperity until her next natal day shall find her, as does this 
one, in the van, as regards progress and culture, and her sons fit 
representatives of those who will so glorioush' commemorate the 
day of her nativit}'. And should circumstances forever keep me 
from the town, and from friends and associations that I love, ray 
hope is, that my record in life may be such that I can claim a last 
resting-place in that silent city where sleep our own beautiful and 
good, and wliich, before another centennial, will have opened wide 
its gates to most of the participants in this day's proceedings. 

And that their da^'s ma^' be many and prosperous, and an honor 
to themselves and their mother-town, is the heartfelt wisli of her 
absent son, 

W. L. PENNEY. 

To W. D. Carpenter, Sec'y Centennial Invitation Committee. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 161 

Brattleboro', Vt., June 3, 1878. 

Gentlemen : — I should be very glad to be with you at the 
Foxbovough Centennial, the 29th inst., but it will hardl}' be possi- 
ble for me. M}' acquaintance with Foxborough began twenty 
years ago, when I taught what was then a grammar school, on the 
west side of the Common ; this was in the winter of 1857-58. I 
was pastor of the First Universalist Society in Foxborough during 
the 3'ear 1873. 

It would be very agreeable to me to meet once more .some, at 
least, of m}' old pupils and parisliioners, and man\- others whom I 
came to know while a resident of 3'our town. I should like to 
rejoice with you on the day Avhich completes the first one hundred 
A'cars in the life of Foxborough ; rejoice with 3-ou that your town has 
enjo3'ed uninterrupted material prosperity" ; that her citizens have 
always shown a deep intei'est in education, morality, and religion ; 
that the}" evinced their patriotism in time of war, attested by the 
roll of honored dead, and the Library Hall erected to their memory. 
These make Foxborough a bright star in that galax}' of towns 
which together compose the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
illustrious throughout the world. 

Hoping that the Centennial mav be an occasion of joy to all 
who participate in it, and that the next hundred 3'ears ma}' bring 
even more good to Foxborough than the hundred which have 
passed, I am 

EespectfuUy 3'ours, 

JA8. EASTWOOD. 
To E. P. Carpenter, W. T. Cook, Otis Cary, and others, Ex. 
Com. 



Falmouth, June 27, 1878. 
Committee on Invitations, Wm. D. Caupenter, Sec. : — 

I regret that I cannot respond to 30ur invitation In* my presence 
at the celebration of our town's centennial birtlida3-. Engagements 
prevent m3- attendance and den3' me the happiness of greeting 
friends and acquaintances of earl3' 3"ears. 

Since the incorporation of Foxborough she has constantly 
advanced, at times with rapid strides, and though her soil was 
crust3', ston3-, and sterile, she now holds a respectable rank in 



162 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

agricultural productions. The deficiencies of nature have been 
supplied, and excrescences removed by the skilful hand of industry, 
perseverance, and toil. 

To me, Foxborough is a place ever dear ; there thickh- cluster 
the remembrances of the past, and the associations of my child- 
hood and 3-outh. 

In conclusion, I would add that, after an absent residence of 
more than twenty 3'ears, it would give me intense pleasure to be 
present at your celebration and witness the evidences of your 
intellectual, social, and moral advancement. Foxborough is 
yours, — she is mine; she is our birthright, and we will honor 
her forever. 

JOHN G. JONES. 



Jersey City, N. J., June 18, 1878. 
To the Centennial Committee of Foxborough : — 

Gentlemen, — Your kind invitation to attend the one hundredth 
birthda}- of Foxborough is thankfull3' received ; but, to my extreme 
regret, I am obliged to decline. 

Although I was so unfortunate as not to have been born in 
Foxborough, I came from Wrentham, and that is the next thing to 
it ; and having taken my wife from your town, I feel that I am 
entitled to join you with my cordial wishes for the success of the 
town. When, in the course of travel, one Yankee meets anotlier, 
he never stops to ask of towns or counties, but is satisfied to let 
the glorious old Commonwealth be a bond of fellowship and good 
feeling between each other, and certainly, gentlemen, a man can 
wish for nothing more than to hail from the State that gave birth 
to Franklin, Sam. Adams, and Gov. Andrew ; to owe alleigance to 
the Commonwealth that was represented in Washington b}" Web- 
ster and by Sumner ; to feel that, if far awa}', he is descended from 
those glorious patriots that have twice saved their countrj- from 
destruction. 

Massachusetts always leads the van. Like the famed plume of 
Henry of Navarre, her white flag is always found in the midst of 
danger. Ma}' she continue to be the most radical State in the 
Union ; for her radicalism is always found, upon investigation, to 
be truth, and the only reason that the world terms her doctrines 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 163 

radical is because Massachusetts is twenty-five years aliead of the 
rest. 

In conclusion, gentlemen, allow nie to say that I earnestly hope 
the town of Foxborough ma}' continue to prosper ; tliat her 
success in the future nia}" be as glorious as her past has been sub- 
stantial, until, as Massachusetts is known as the model State, 
Foxborough may become the model township. 
Respectfulh-, etc., 

FRANK 0. COLE. 



The writer of the following letter was formerly a practic- 
ing lawyer of this town and afterwards practiced in Maine, 
and still later in Mobile, Ala., and is a nephew of Gen. 
Joseph Warren of Revolutionary fame. His father was 
Judge Ebenezer Warren, who died in Foxborough in 1824, 
aged seventy-tive years. 

AVrentham, June 24, 1878. 
Messrs. E. P. Carpenter & al., Ex. Com., etc. : — 

I have received 3'our kind invitation to participate in the ap- 
proaching celebration at Foxborough. Please accept ni}- cordial 
thanks for the notice. Every patriot must rejoice in the movement. 
It will induce subsequent generations to mark, in a similar manner, 
the successive centennial periods as the}' mingle with the vast 
ocean of years revolved. Fourteen years and a few months would, 
if prefixed to my earthly pilgrimnge, make m^- life commensurate 
with tlie corporate existence of Foxborough. Be assured, gentle- 
men, that it is with deep regret that I have to announce that mv 
present condition must prevent me from participating in the joys 
and pleasures of the approaching celebration in person, but will be 
with you in spirit, if m}* spirit before the day appointed should 
not be ordered to take another direction. 

Advanced as I am in years, it must be supposed that I maj- have 
a knowledge and remembrance of events and persons of which 
most of the present generation have no personal knowledge. 

I remember seeing the venerable man, John Sheppard, brought 



164 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

into the cluircli to listen to a, sermon preached by the Rev. Daniel 
Loring, on the da}' he became one hundred j-ears of age. I saw 
him about two 3-ears afterwards in compau}- with ni}' father. They 
had previously been neighbors for many years. The old gentleman 
alluded to the events and persons of former 3ears with deep inter- 
est and earnestness approaching enthusiasm. 'My father was sur- 
prised to find him so intelligent and accurate in memory. Tlie old 
gentleman was in fine spirits, and the interview appeared to afford 
high mutual enjoyment. ........ 

They talked rapidh* upon a great variety of subjects, — religion, 
politics, and old neighbors, etc., etc. I remember leaving the old 
gentleman with the impression that he was a devout lover of his God, 
an atfectionate lover of his neighbor, and a dear lover of fun. 
After living in Foxborough a little more than a centur}', or rather 
the territor}' which now constitutes Foxborough, he was moved to 
the town of Attleborough, and lived several years with his grand- 
son, Ebenezer Daggett, Esq., till his death, Avhich 1 think took 
place in 1801). Very earl}' in life he became the husband of his 
third wife. I belieA'e that his descendants are not very numerous. 

William Paine, the first b}' the name of Paine who ever settled 
in Foxborough, was a native of Maiden, Mass. ; commenced resi- 
dence in Foxborough before the commencement of the Revolution- 
ary war ; was the father of seven sons and three daughters ; died 
in the summer of 1811, at the age of ninety-six years. He was a 
pattern of industry, fiugality, and morality. Three or four of his 
sons were in the Revolutionar}- army. 

Spencer Hodges, a native of Taunton, Mass., born 1745, com- 
menced his residence in Foxborough about 1770, Avhere he lived 
till May, 1809, when he died. He was of infirm health at my ear- 
liest recollection. He had been a man of untiring industry, and 
had, probably, by excessive toil, impaired his health. He was noted 
for his good judgment, for the practice of ever}' virtue, and exemp- 
tion from error. He was a devout Christian, but tolerant. His 
walk was with God, his hopes and aspirations centred in Heaven, 
whither he attempted to direct men b}' precept and example. I 
cannot say that 1 ever knew an}' other individual who approached 
so near what God requires man should be. He died in Foxbo- 
rough, aged sixt^-four. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENXIAL RECORD. 165 

Seth Robinson was, from in}' earliest recollection, a near neigli- 
bor of ni}' father. He was a man of rare merit. His judgment 
and sound sense were liighlj' I'espected b}' all who knew him. His 
words were few, but ever to the point. He lived to be nearly ninety 
years of age. His course was marked for industy, frugality, hon- 
est}-, and the practice of manly virtues. He was, I think, a native 
of the County of Bristol, born about 1745. 

Ephraim Sheppard, a nephew of John Sheppard, was born in 
Foxborough, where he lived and died. He was born in 1748 ; was a 
man of an original, independent mind ; was of great service to his 
fellow-townsmen as a most skilful farrier. He would labor for 
days over the sick horse or cow of a neighbor, when there was 
little or no prospect of receiving compensation. He was wiiat all 
who knew liim would call an excellent man. He did not, I think, 
live niuch beyond the age of seventy. 

SiiADRACH WiNSLOW was a native of Freetown, born about 
1750. He was a man of marked mind, and was probablj' the 
most scientific individual who ever resided in the town of Fox- 
borough. After graduating at Yale and receiving tlie best medical 
education the country could afibrd, about 1778 he embarked as 
surgeon on board a privateer, made several trips successfull}', but 
was at length taken prisoner and carried to England and confined 
in Dartmoor Prison for several months, where, by exposure, he sus- 
tained injuries which greatly impaired his health, and from which 
he never recovered. His profound knowledge of his profession 
led him to despise quackery in all its forms, and to which he never 
descended. He became a citizen of Foxborough about the ^ear 
1784, married a daughter of Eleazer Robbins, Esq., then a wealth}' 
and prominent citizen. Notwithstanding his talents and high 
attainments, he declined all participation in governmental affairs, 
not accepting even a town office. He loved retirement ; books 
were his companions. He was, however, social and courteous to 
all his friends. I am not able to say when he died ; but he prob- 
abl}' did not much exceed seventy at the time of his death. He 
was one of the last men who would violate the rules of gentle- 
nianl}- bleeding. 

Thomas Shaw was noted for his remarkable ingenuity as a 
mechanic. He was a good carpenter, mason, wheelwright, black- 



166 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

smith, and shoemaker. He was a man of unbounded popularit}-, 
inasmuch as he could do almost eveiything, and was at all times 
the same kind, good-natured man. He lived to be a veiyold man. 
I think he was a native of Bristol County. 

Thomas Kendall was settled as a preacher of the gospel in 
Foxborough, about one hundred 3ears ago. He was a graduate of 
Dartmouth (Hanover College) not far from 1760, was the first 
minister settled in the town. He had been, prior to his settle- 
ment in Foxborough, a missionar}- to the several tribes of Indians 
in the State of New York. He was dismissed about 1800. All 
acknowledged him to be a good man. 

Daniel Loring was his immediate successor, settled in 1803, or 
about that time. There was much opposition to him, and he did 
not remain in Foxborough man}' jears. He was immediatel}' 
succeeded b}' Thomas Skelton, who commenced his ministration in 
the autumn of 1808. He was a graduate of Harvard Universit}', 
1806 ; was a good scholar, and possessed more than ordinary' 
talents. He was not popular in Foxborough, and did not continue 
in that town many years. He was born about 1780, and died 
1838. 

Timothy Stevens, uncle to my father, was the first physician 
who settled in Foxborough. He was a resident of that place for 
nearly thirty years. I recollect seeing an old Bible which formerly 
belonged to him (printed about 1690), which contained the follow- 
ing record made by him: '■'■ Dark Sivamjy, August, 1746. This 
da}' one of the most awful storms of thunder and lightning ever 
known visited this place, during which a ball of thunder struck y^ 
house and barn of Wm. Hewes. The house, by the good provi- 
dence of God, was saved, but the barn, together with a sow and 
pigs, became a sacrifice to the devouring elements." 

Francis Daniels, a native of France, at the age of twenty-six 
settled in Foxborough, about 1750. He was possessed of most 
rare native endowments, and was a most excellent man. He was 
remarkably social in his habits, and was constantly giving utterance 
to wise thoughts in broken English. He lived to be an old man. 
Left one son and several daughters. His descendants are numer- 
ous and well known in Foxborough. Mr. Ezra Carpenter, a most 
worthy citizen of Foxborough, married twice into the family. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 167 

Be pleased, gentlemen, to accept severally my respectful regards, 
together with a hope that happiness and prosperity may long be 
with yon. 

I remain, gentlemen, 30urs with sentiments of respect, 

SAMUEL S. WARREN. 



The following communication accompanied the cane pre- 
sented to the town, as mentioned bcloAY : — 

To the Toivn of Foxhorongh : — 

This cane is a part of the mudsill of the furnace where was cast 
the first cannon in this country, and was owned by Uriah Ather- 
ton. He cast cannon for the government, and other munitions of 
war, and received in payment Continental paper. The furnace 
was located partly in Foxborough and partly- in Stoughtonham 
(now called Sharon). The furnace was in operation before the 
Revolution of '76. It was a smelting furnace, and the owner was 
my grandfather on mN' mother's side. I now present this cane to 
the Town of Foxborough, as a memento of Uriah Atherton and 
his furnace, together Avith his patriotic services in the Revolution 
of 1775. B}' his grandson, 

Alexander Boyden, aged eightj'-seven years. East Foxbor- 
ough, June 25th, 1878. 

A communication relating to the Boyden family has been 
handed us for publication in connection with centennial mat- 
ters, as follows : — 

"In noticing the improvements which have been made within 
the last one hundred years is a machine for splitting leather, in- 
vented and patented by Seth Boyden, 3d, Esq., who was born 
April 22, 1764; he had six sons, Seth, Alexander, Otis, Uriah 
A., Franklin, and William P. Five of these have been at some 
period of their lives engaged in the malleable cast-iron business ; 
Alexander having made the first piece of malleable iron ever made 
in this country, March 16, 1824. He then taught bis brother 
Otis the art, who, two 3'ears afterward, put up a furnace in Newark, 
N. J., for his brother Seth, and taught him the art. Alexander 



168 FOXBOROUGir CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

subsequently taught his brothers Franklin and William. Another 
invention of Alexander, above named, was a machine for turning 
shoe-knife handles at the rate of fort}' per minute." 

Uriah A. Bo}deii was the donor of the Boyden Fund, and 
the one in whose honor Foxhoi'ough Public or Bojden 
Library was named. He now resides in Boston, at an 
advanced age. 

Boston, April 19, 1878. 

It makes it seem lilve old times to receive a letter postmarked 
"West Foxborough," and brings qnite a long train of faces and 
families to mind that we shall see no more this side of Jordan. I 
remember well when the Foxborough post-office kept at " Shack- 
stand " was an important one ; there was none then at the Centre, nor 
at Mansfield, nor Norton. " Peter Junkett," Judge Warren's man, 
used to come for the mail for his master, who lived at the then very 
handsome house, which had a barn almost as handsome, about 
lu\lf wa}' between Foxborough and Mansfield. Somewhere about 
1814, a cross mail route was established from our office, on the 
Turnpike, to Taunton, to pass through Foxborough Centre, Mans- 
field, and Norton, and my father got the contract for carrying it, 
and I used to take it, once a -week, on horseback. In the spring 
I used to tackle the old white horse into the wagon and go a little 
below Taunton and get the wagon full of herring right out of 
Taunton river, and divide them at small cost among our neighbors. 
To go that route how one would not easily realize that Foxborough 
Crntre, Mansfield, and Norton had so recently been dependent on 
" Honest Corner" for all their mail matter. But so it was, and I 
was the bo}- that carried it. Everything else — but " Honest Cor- 
ner" — has grown since those days. Now the old tavern house 
is gone, and only two small dwellings have been put up. But look 
at the centre and see what a cit^' has arisen where then it was all 
briers, shrub-oaks, and rocks ! Boston has grown equally fast, and 
looks no more, now, like what it was when I first saw it than Fox- 
borough Centre does like what it was when I " tended store." 

AARON HOBART. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 169 



THE ILLUMINATION 

Of the Common and vicinity, of many private residences, 
and on several streets, was not the least interesting feature 
of the day, and many pronounced it the best. Foxborough 
Common was ablaze with lanterns and colored tire, which re- 
flected from the flags and trees and gave most beautiful ef- 
fects. Foxboro' Brass Band gave an excellent concert, car- 
rying out the published programme, and all combined, re- 
minded the crowds who were present as spectators of fairy 
land, or a Parisian scene. Al)out twenty- five hundred lan- 
terns Avere lighted on the Common, nnder the management 
of B. T. Wells, of Boston. ^Ir. AY. is the illuminator who 
has been engaged at Oak Blufts several years past, and he 
states that never, to his knowledge, have so many lights been 
used in the same space, or to better advantage, than upon this 
occasion, and his l)elief is shared by many who have wit- 
nessed the superb illuminations at Oak Bluffs. 

jNIany of the buildings fronting upon the Common were 
decorated and illuminated, more or less profusely, the resi- 
dence of Mr. William Carpenter being probably the prettiest 
and best arranged. The residence of Mr. John Garside, at 
which Dr. II. A. Tucker was stopping, very nearly, if not 
quite, equalled it, and, in the judgment of many, excelled all 
others. The residences and grounds of E. P. Carpenter, 
L. P. Faught, V. 8. Pond, F. E. Hartshorn, M. Ryan, 
F. D. Williams, Henry T. Comey, Lewis' Pond, Ezra Pick- 
ens, and others, were also aglow with l)right and beautiful 
lights. The fountain and grounds at the Union Straw 
Works were also illuminated, and attracted crowds of ad- 
miring spectators, who walked on Wail street, beneath a 
canopy or archway of lanterns, to and from the Straw Works. 
The residence of Mr. Tyler Carpenter, on Wall street, Avas 
also brilliantlv lia-hted. In fact nearlv all our citizens in the 



170 roxno/ifK/fjff ('ENTENsiai. niictniD. 

vi<;ii)ily of tli*- <^*o;)imoii, in ;i rfj;ifii)<')' Mior*- or V'^n <?xt«tJ- 
HJvrjIy, <J»!r'onil<''l mimI illiHni))!il<'*J, jiimI if wouM h'' nlfrioHf Jrn- 
[>OHHJI>l<! fo i'<'<'or<l ll(<! hj;<'< ialli<!<» of <?;w^h. It i^ <!hf ifn;if<'<| 
ffjaf fix? onnilx;!' of \ntt'H(nm jH'CHi'tii ni otn; f jni<; 'luring fix; 
<ltty wuM i<'n flioiiHJJiKi, jifi'l fliaf fVoMi (iv<; fo r^<v<ii flioiii^an') 
wifiKHi-,*!*] fl)<5 illufninafion in fh*? «;v<;nii){.^. Ai^ mi'lMi^'lif, aj;- 
j»rof»<;))«;<i fix? tliron;.' 'lii/nnif'Jjo'J, ljghf« ^nKJuallv«li a|))»r;ii«.fl, 
uiid xooii uil wm [Hnuu'Su], quh^t, ujkJ tti rcnf. 



JILV/MV-.PER CLIPPINGS. 

TIj'' /'oxf/oif/ 'ivifii'H, wlii(?|i iMHii<',<J ».fM'<r(iion of lw<?nf,y-fivo 
)tinxln?(l r,it])\i H of fix? niiujl><;r <;onfaIiiJi)^ ifw iv'i-(niifi <ii' ffx? 
r<')«'l<raf ion, <;ornfn<!»X'<?<l if;., i'<'|»oi'f mh follow**; — 

i (i<; ':lo'»<; of llxj fjini /'^'((triry of f.l/fj C'OI'pomf>; «'-</i*l,<'ri';<; ol' 
our h<!uutif(il f/>nf( wuh fxowfy «f>propnaf/<f|y aixl Hiu;cMH<*i'n]]y ol<- 
««rv<if1, uft,<!r u lofij^ arxl lal;orio<x» work of pn-paruliorj, on Katiir- 
<)ay "'•'! Hmxlay lawt. 

Tljut 11m; on«j liiin'lr«!<)tli birth'lay of n Ufwti w}iU',U Uuh ntiuUt fJx? 
proi^ri'HH Oiiring tliut jx'rio'l llutt ll»i« \tun <lon<j whonM h<; Joyoix»ly 
ari'l fJiankfnIly (thmirsci], wifh a o^-rfajn <h-u,tvi' of j>ri'l'! anH w^lf- 
coninxrrxlafJon, i>< not to b*? won'1<'r<;<l at. 

i)nit hMn<lr<.''ly<;«r« aj^o the r««j<l<;f»t>4 of Kox borough w<?r<.' t^nt fow 
In nrnnlw'r, an'l fl«?y w<;r<.' of a |>oor<;r <;la>»H, «?v<?n of tho«<; pov<;rfy- 
Htri<'k<!n i'unt'M. Tlxry I»-'kI of f/,»wn prop'^rf/y, ono wniall f;lxin;h 
bnlMing, without t\(K>rn, ii\u\ with tinght/(;<l win<low»», mh<?«1 an jt 
plac<; of wornhip an'l for th« tiUmm', of po wrh;r. 

Their princij/«l in'lnxtry wa^ th<; tilling of the (♦oil ; y«;t a U'W 
hi)i)\>'\H)U'n tiuA <;onxi<l<;rttbI(? aUimnjul wer<; pro'bx>?<l afxl <;x<!h«ng<r<l 
with fix? cMhcttH of larj(<'r phx?«'H for tlx; f<;w iit'ct'HHHU'H of life 
wriieh eoul'l not be pro<hx;e/| from our own Koil, Hix?h an fiew 
nin», miAiiHHUH, nw] tuxUiUli. 

The nrnnl»er of inhabilatitM </f tl/i*t newly-ori.';»iii/,<'l i'/v>ii 'li'l not, 
exeee'l four hmi'lre*! an'l fifty. 

Al the present finie we have a population of ri'arly thirty-two 



FOXBOROUail CENTENNIAL UEConiK 171 

1 Hwif o/^«i ii(-irl\' !?-_'r), ()()(», with :i 

l„,mlre,l souls; n Knvn lioMs.. IlK.t «.sl, ,„.,.l, ». 

s,.l,.ml-l,«us>. ..I.lili.m «o,-ll, .s nm.-h ,„...-; s,x „ll,.-. ^ ;1 

. , v„.,„..i .uv »«,„,.,»•-',.«." -i.;".*'^'.'"; ■"■"-' 

,,, ;iM, ,u, ,.xc.di,.n., pu..,i,. iii...v "f "-1.V -'■- ' -; ; 

„|,,„ ,u.|.,uUn,.„U., us,.i,), wlii.-h .-OS., n.,t U,ss U an »10,<"i», 

;,nawl,i..his„..,U„>vhonHis, si.U.v.l Uk. :u...un., ... |u-..,.. 4 

i, |„„ s„v,.,l ,., „ur oili/.<'ns, „ »,<,.■!, l.rg.-.' sMn>. W ■■ ..-.■ .- .x- 

tic, .ou>- in nnn.l,,.,-, l.uv. ..<■!. n ,-..nv,.n„.n,, ,-1hm,.1, ,.,1,I ■. ■ 

walks, an.l slnnL-Ucs, s..-..„.l U. n, u ll- MaU- W. .•- 

Lessea valna.ion of over -n. ^^■■^^< n,i„ s ,,. .loila s 

i„.,„st,-y .l,id, ,..n,ls U, ,.nlUva„. ,1,,. .as,.. .„ ..nr -a ...ns ,. , 

„.l,ic.l, is „oatan,l .as.y, .i.a, s.„,,s i.s iv.in.as .....-<- " - 

: , ,.,!. ,„■ n ■ula.-.o,v wlaav Vl.ey a,v La-ulra.,-.!, bn. U,.., a.o 

,i..:, in,.. ,„.■ 1 s o,v-.,ay ,i,-.. ..,■ ■ .^i.;--. -■'-;;« 

,1,^,,,, ,„ ,,, .,„,, w,.l, Lis ,aat,l.l....- i.. |..-llilv a.-.a"*..!,' a...l I- co- 
in., i,is gi-o.,...is a,ai i...ii.ii..Ks, U""* '«''^"'" ' ',""!';;'";,' "'",,; 

scr„oat!« ,o .ivo i, .„,. .i. • •■.!..■ .^.' ^':': :,:;:,.. 

were,.,.,...-.. •s,.,..,.,a.s,, '■-^';- -;:::,; 'r 

l„l,or in .Ills t«w„ an.l vic.ni.y t..J.I,(... ..■•■ 'l I 

2,473,81,1 l.ats, caps, o..^, in "".■ J.-a., vain,-.! at .a.sl at « ,U- • 
86.40 ;an,nl,at wo i,av.o.i,,.,i.al..s., i.s >viH. ...I .•.....; ;;■ 

tl,oso who witncsso.1 .1,0 „-a.lo i..-..ooss I ^a„n.la,^ >. 

zons are, on ti,owl,.,lo,anin,olli:4.-.,,, .•...■.!....,.■., a„.ls.aa-„.ns I., 

"-„-.., in .Lis wo,l.Vs goods, a„.l a,«,vo ti.o avo.ag.: .■on.......... 

" in n,„,ali.v. On.' ."«., is .."U-1 <-' i'» ">^-1'™« ■""' " ".' " 

i ;„,,..„ ..a.,s,..i ;,,..... ..X,,.... n a ,...|...,na,„n o, „s 

;.',,;.• ,nia, vo,-sa,-y wi.ioi, sla.nl.l ,.o s,a, i , -..1 ' 

win.l, w,...l.l I..- an la,n,„- to tl... town and its cU/a-ns. . . ■ 

The IMu,, llnald gavo a vo.-y M\ ,-.l....t, i" "I'i-l' » 

""I'la^lnl, i„.„....,, was .l,o sn,.ligl„. U.is '"""^ "^ ^^^2- 

„„„ ,..M:on,o|-N...I"M.C....n,y,", .n.on..as„« and !.,»........ 

., ■ ..■.,x.,.,n,...i.. wl.i.l., a.,„-...l i.. ga,a..iay ,-.,..os, oon,- 



172 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

inenced the preparations for lier centennial. The town was fairly 
alive with strangers and visitors, and everything was carried out 
according to* the advertised programme, . . . The streets were 
densely crowded at an early hour, nearly seven thousand people 
being present. . . . The decorations were on a grand scale. 
. ' . . Ever3' detail of the celebration was carried out success- 
full}'. . . . The decorations and illuminations in the evening 
proved a most fitting close to the day's festivities. The Common 
was hung with about twenty-five hundred lanterns, and many pub- 
lic and private buildings were beautifully illuminated. In fact, the 
whole village was one blaze of colored liglit. The band concert 
was a great attraction. About ten thousand people attended the 
celebration. 

The Boston Journal spoke, in its editorial column, as fol- 
lows : — 

FoxBOROUGH Centennial. — The town of Foxborough — the 
onl}' one of tjiat name in the world, it is said — celebrated its cen- 
tennial Saturday, as will be seen b}' our full report of the proceed- 
ings. It is not an old town for Massachusetts, nor is it a young 
one ; its origin dates from the middle period of our history and 
from the throes of the Revolution. It restdted from that division 
of the large old towns which has been so prolific in new ones, and 
which is still, though more slowly, going on. When petitioners 
could complain, as the}' did in the movement leading the way to 
the organization of Foxborough, " that they lye thirty miles from 
the old meeting-house, and thirteen from the meeting-house at Pun- 
capaug, so that they are under great disadvantages for attending 
public worship," it is no wonder that they called for a new town or- 
ganization. Foxborough, it seems, began modestly with one hun- 
dred and nine residents, and now she numbers over three thousand 
as busy, well-informed and well-to-do people as can be found any 
where in this Commonwealth. 

The social and business changes she has passed through in her 
century of existence are still more marked. The community was 
so poor at first that the people worshipped in a church without 
doors or windows. The mothers spun their own flax and wove the 
family's clothes. The first exports were a load of charcoal and a 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 173 

load of hogshead hoops, the imports consisting of New England 
rum, molasses, and codfish. It was not till 1804 that the town felt 
rich enough to bu}- a hearse. Visit Foxborough to-day, and what 
a contrast is to be found in the beautiful residences, the ample es- 
tates, the immense manufactories sending their products through- 
out the world, and the innumerable evidences of a thriving, intel- 
ligent, moral, and contented population ! Trul^', the century has 
been well spent by the town of Foxborough, and its best rewards 
have been abundantl}- showered upon her in return. 

She enters upon her second centuiy, therefore, most auspiciouslj-. 
She can hardly witness such changes as she has experienced in the 
past, for all the conditions of life are now more settled. It can no 
longer happen that a citizen, like one of the town's former worthies, 
can be a resident of two counties and five different towns, while 
living in the same house all the time. Foxborough, like the rest of 
Massachusetts, has become an old communit3\ Still, she is only 
in the beginning of her prosperity ; with her wonderful straw in- 
dnstry, and her other well-founded and thrifty interests, and her 
intelligent, exemplar}' people, there is no reason why her second 
centennial should not be quite as creditable as her first. 

The Boston Post: — 

The occasion was one long to be remembered in the history- of 
the town. Admirable order was maintained, and the programme 
wjjs carried out to the letter, with promptness and cooifort to all. 

The Boston Transcrq^t : — 

The town of Foxborough, which has now reached the ripe age 
of one hundred years, is to-day engaged in a fitting observance of 
its centennial anniversarj", though unhappily the unfortunate acci- 
dent, an account of which is given in another column, has cast a 
gloom over the proceedings. 

Boston Traveller: — 

Foxborough has a history in itself, and one, too, of which its 
sons and daughters always will be proud. The storv is ever}'- 
where known, small as the old town is, and the deeds of its chil- 



174 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

dien have never been such as would not cast credit upon the place 
of their nativit}'. 

Boston Advertiser: — 

Foxborough was one hundred 3-ears old Satnrda}-. Hence she 
took occasion to invite to her celebration of the anniversary all her 
children and friends, not only to receive their congratulations, but 
to show thorn that the mother is more vigorous, active, and enter- 
prising, more positive in promise of a good future, than many years 
ago. Could the Englishman Charles James Fox have lool^ed upon 
the Saturday's display, he would have been proud of his American 
municipal daughter. One hundred years is a short life for a town, 
and certainly there was displayed an enthusiasm which comes of 
devotion of towns-people, and ability to manifest it fittingly. . . 
. The people of Foxborough, who have managed the occasion and 
attended the festivities, may be well pleased at the str.oothness with 
which the exercises passed off. Only one event — but that a se- 
rious one — checked the cordial outflow of good spirits and nuitual 
congratulations. 



IV. 

SUNDAY SERVICES 



The observance was continued on Sunday by a portion of 
the community, who assembled in hirge numbers, without 
distinction of creed, in the mammoth tent, where services 
were held in the morning, afternoon, and evening, with a 
meeting of the Temperance Reform Club, at 4, P.M. The 
services in the morninof commenced with the singing of an 
anthem by the choir, followed Ijy an invocation by Rev. \V, 
Harrison Alden, D.D, ; the singing of an appropriate hymn, 
read by Rev. J. T. Pettee ; reading of the fortieth chapter 
of Isaiah, by Rev. B. Paine; prayer by Rev. Isaac Smith, 
D.D. ; a hymn, after which followed a 

SERMON, BY REV. Q. H. SIIINN, 

pastor of the Universalist Church. The theme of the 
preacher was the ^'Process of God and progress of man," 
and his text was from Isaiah xl. 12. "Who hath meas- 
ured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted 
out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of 
the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in 
scales, and the hills in a balance?" In narrowing their 
thoughts to a little rural town, they placed a great limitation 
on such a theme, but in noting the changes and improve- 
ments of the century the theme was prolific enough. All 
onr centennials come near together. The areat centennial 
of two years ago was the centennial of all the States and 



* FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 177 

alone could have ordained for it so many uses in this material 
world, witnessing to us design and a wise Designer. Our 
knowledge of the heavenly bodies stands as one of the loftiest 
witnesses of the process of God in the universe. He was 
so exact and careful in his work, that he laid his hand on 
every inch of space in the vast vault, and the whole heavens 
stretching in their endless chain. " Who comprehended the 
dust of the earth in a measure." Worlds are made of in- 
visible atoms over which God has supervision as well as 
over the world, and, analyzing things downward, we discern 
the method of God. Everything we see, admire, and use, 
has been literally measured by the hand of God. Man did 
not have to create anything. God gave the raw material ; 
stored it in the earth, buried it in the sea, piled it up in the 
mountains and the hills. The process of God touches human 
life no less than it touches the clouds, the planets, the dust, 
and the hills. In the creation of man his purpose towers 
above all these. His part is to grow — progress. His inte- 
rior life has correspondences in the outer world, and its divine 
growths are stimulated when it comes in contact with it. 
But an atom is man, yet instinct with the life of God, 
this atom may become more, larger, greater, by throwing 
out its tendrils to the sun. His searching, exploring, 
inventing, are accompanied by a flux of happiness ; knowl- 
edge brings with it enlargement of vision, joy, and bliss. 
Great discoveries flood the world with joys and large hopes. 
It was the telegraph and railroad a few years ago ; it is the 
telephone and phonograph to-day. In God's purpose it 
would seem that the age of inventions is divided into epochs. 
When the world is ready for a new revelation God directs 
their thoughts in the direction of the truth to be revealed. 
It is a remarkable fact, that, whenever a great discovery or 
invention has been announced, it is soon found that many 
minds had been working at the same problem, even on op- 
posite sides of the globe, as in the case of Wallace and Dar- 



.178 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

win. To-day there is a dispute as to Avhether Bell or Dol- 
bear inyeiited the telephone. And others were working at 
it at the same time. Since it w^as revealed to the public, 
conti'ibutions have been made to it by Faraday, Page, Henry, 
Russ, Gray, and Edison. And the wonderful microphone, 
who invented that, — Edison, in the United States, or 
Hughes, in England? So an entire new tield of science is 
opened, and the tide of brain and heart is flowing in. What 
wonders are hidden in the elements, what glories yet unre- 
vealed ! "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard." Every nation 
has contributed to the growth of man. We are a progressive 
people. Ours is a progressive religion. Idolatrous nations 
are where they were centuries ago, but Christianity adapts 
itself to every stage of growth. It has all the elements of 
permanence, satisfaction, and progress, and opens a new 
world to the soul, — one that will remain when all else fails 
and slips away. You have been a hundred years in making 
a home. You have made a business that touches the race 
and improves the condition of your fellow-men, and a spirit- 
ual union begins to strike its roots and send out its blood. 
You have pulled out the stones and stumps and roots, put in 
loam, spread sward and shrubs and flowers. What was once 
a stony knoll, your beautiful villnge crowns; and about 
your homes are lawns, trees, flowers, — ia them, books, 
paintings, and flner and sweeter souls. The Father must 
be pleased to. see you build, out of rough nature, such 
a paradise. Sectarian barriers will melt away, as future 
years shall see us rise with the spirit of Jesus in our 
hearts, and when all hands are clasped to make men better 
and save the world. By soul-energy and faith, by miracles 
wrought" by the love that is in us, we may yet fultil the 
words of our Lord, "And greater things than these shall 
ye do." 

At the close of the sermon the vast congregation joined in 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 179 

singing a hymn to the tune of " Old Hundred," and was dis- 
missed with a benediction. 



AFTERNOON SERVICE- 

Opening solo by Mrs. S. Josie Cobb. 
Hymn : — 

' ' Oh, worship the King, all glorious above ; " 

read by Rev. J. T. Pettee. 

Reading of 90th Psalm and Prayer by Rev. W. H. Al- 
den, D.D. 

Hymn : — 

" Through every age, eternal God; " 

read by Rev. B. Paine. 

SERMON BY REV. W. H. SPENCER. 

Subject: Limits of Change. Text: Psalm xc. 2, List clause. 

Mr. Spencer said, in commencing, that there was one fact 
that had been made prominent by this centennial season, 
which was, that a century has wrought changes, many and 
great, in the life and circumstances of the people. It is a 
common subject, and yet does not entirely lose its novelty 
and interest. We are not yet tired of noticing and wonder- 
ing at the difference between the old ways of living and 
working and our own. This centennial anniversary has 
brought freshly to mind the great difi'erence between the 
means of obtaining a living now and those of a hundred years 
ago ; also l)etween the common comforts of life now and 
then. We see the difference between rough comfort, log 
houses, home-raised food and home-made clothing, and the 
luxuries which are now deemed essential to the well-being of 
the poorest. We notice great changes in the methods of 
business, caused by increasing consumption and sharp com- 



180 FOX BO ROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

petition. Nothinsr is more marked than the ehangc in th(^ 
kinds of industry to which young men and women turn for 
.sui)port. The farmers' sons of to-day are found in stores and 
counting-houses, or living on the raih'oad as runners of the 
irreat mercantih' houses. The farmers' dauirhters no h)n<rer 
pride themselves on their proticiency in home industry, hut 
seek situations as school-teachers and copyists, or engage in 
some lijrht kind of manufacture. The strength of muscle is 
su[)erseded by the power of machineiy. The former work of 
a year is done in a week. Such changes are, however, more 
apparent than real in their actual etlect on our life. A man 
is no more noble because he can make a shoe by the help of 
machinery ten times as fast as his father did the same work 
by hand. The wonderful nineteenth century has not wrought 
such radical chan2:es in the real life of man as is sometimes 
supposed. The ideas current among men in respect to social 
and political relations afford a study no less curious and sur- 
prising than the history of inventions. We see the confi- 
dence in the decisions of the ballot-box rudely shaken, and 
many soberly asking whither universal sutlVage is finally to 
lead ns. Once the State tried to keep the Church in order : 
now the State in all Christendom is coming to the point of 
recognizing no particular church. From religious persecu- 
tion to toleration, and from toleration to absolute lil)erty, in 
matters of religion — what sweeping changes these are I 
The relations of nations to each other are constantly chang- 
ing. Christian missions and commerce are bringing races of 
men into closer relations. 

(Jlancing at some of the things that do not change, the 
preacher said, first of all, God does not change. His char- 
acter is the same from age to age. His purposes are as 
changeless as his holiness. Another fact, that has never 
changed since Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden, is 
the hopeless depravity of the human race. The prevailing 
tendencies of men arc uiu-hanged. Bv no skilful breeding 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 181 

or culture of the human species has the old taint of sin been 
removed. It is the one awful fact that tlioughtful men of 
every age have had to face, and which has baffled all the 
remedies which the best woildly wisdom could offer. The 
nature of sin has not changed since Abel lay dead at the feet 
of his wrathful brother. It has not lost a shade of its black- 
ness through culture and the polish of manners. Man's con- 
sciousness of sin in himself is ever the same. The moral 
sense, however darkened by ignorance, remains, in some 
degree, a witness for God in every soul. And Avith this con- 
sciousness of wrong-doing and the dread of its consequences, 
there is the same questioning in regard to immortality, and 
the destiny of sinful man in the life to come. The old, old 
questions of the unsatisfied heart are ever the same, — "How 
should man be just with God?" "What shall I do to be 
saved?" But, in the midst of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ 
remains the one way of life and salvation. That has never 
changed. The members of Christian communities, and the 
heathen, black, yellow, and red, receive pardon for their sins 
in exactly the eame way, gratuitously, through repentance 
and faith in Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the danger of 
losing the advantages of the gospel is the same to every one 
who hears it. It is just as unsafe now to slight the offer of 
salvation, or to postpone its acceptance, as it ever was. 
The Bible is one of the thino-s that does not chansfe. It re- 
mains still the same stern reprover of sin, the same faithful 
messaire of life and ijuide to holiness. 

A comparison of the elements, changeable and unchange- 
able, that enter into our life, suggests certain reflections. 
First, character is of far more consequence than the out- 
ward conditions of life. It will do us but little good, if we 
learn to cross the ocean in flying machine^, if our hearts do 
not soar with nobler aspirations towards God. In vain do 
we leave behind us the antiquated ways of living, if we 
never change our old thoughts and ways towards God. 



182 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Secondly, There is no promise of satisfaction in the ever- 
chanofins: circumstances of life. No accumulation of the 
conveniences of life can of themselves make us happy. 
There is no more contentment with a gas-burner than with a 
tallow-dip. Finally, let us remember that Ave have far more 
concern with the conditions of eternal life and with our rela- 
tions to an unseen w^orld, than we have with the varying 
circumstances of this life. 

Closing Prayer, and Hymn : — 

" Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing." 

Rev. Isaac Smith, D.D. 

Benediction bv Rev. Isaac Smith, D.D. 

Acollection, amounting to $80, was taken up for the fiimily 
of John A. Davis, who was killed at one of the guns on Sat- 
urday morning. 

The Reform Club held a meeting, commencing at four 
o'clock. Pres. O. C. Pettee presided, and the meeting was 
made very interesting by five-minute speeches by Messrs. L. 
C. Bliss, O. H. Martin, andL. G. Thompson, of Foxl)()rough, 
Mr. T. Elliott, Rev. J. T. Pettee, and others, from abroad. 
' In the evening a praise and conference meeting was held, 
conducted by Rev. Bernard Paine, formerly pastor of the 
Orthodox Church, but now of West Barnstable. The ser- 
vices were very interesting, and consisted of addresses by 
visiting and home clergj'men and others, interspersed with 
singing, a quartette c(msisting of Mr. Albert P. Pettee, Mr. 
Geo. A. Hunt, ]Mrs. S. Josie Cobb, and Miss Vesta Follctt, 
giving several appropriate selections. 

With the close of this meeting the public observance of 
Foxborough's centennial was concluded. 



V. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL 
MUSEUM. 



[Written by A. J. Boyden, the Secretary of the Museum Committee.] 

At an early stage in the preparation of our Centennial 
Celebration, it was seen that an appropriate supplement to 
the other and shorter exercises of that occasion would be a 
collection of relics of by-gone days, and especially of such 
as had played a part in our town's early history. The 
Executive Committee accordingly appointed a Museum Com- 
mittee, to collect and arrange such ancient and honorable 
relics as could be found in the town, and such from adjoining 
towns as were connected with Foxborough's history ; and on 
Thursday morning, June 27, 1878, the Lower Town Hall, 
containing the Foxborough Centennial Museum, was opened 
to the public. 

The collection embraced more than one thousand articles, 
of curious form and workmanship, representing nearly 
all the appliances of home life in the country a century or 
more ago, with occasionally a " modern improvement " placed 
beside the more primitive form, showing in a small degree 
the progress of ideas since that time. 

At one side of the room were arranged the arms and 
equipments of some of the patriotic fathers of the town, 
many of which bore every evidence not only of having been 
"through the wars," but of having done good service. Of 
these military relics perhaps the most interesting was a 



184 FOXBOROVGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

geuuine halberd, which has been for many generations an 
heirloom in the Morse family, and, for aught we know, may 
have played a part with some valiant soldier in Cromwell's 
army. It was loaned by its present owner, Mr. Jairns 
J. Morse, and, with a spontoon loaned by Charles W. 
Hodges, Esq., formed the only wetipons of this class in the 
Museum. Among the many Revolutionary relics, a complete 
list of which it would be impossible to give here, were two 
cartridge-boxes, one loaned by R. W. Carpenter, Esq., the 
other, by Mr. S. Irving Carpenter. These boxes were carried 
in the Revolutionary War by brothers, Nehemiah and Ezra 
Carpenter, and bear the handiwork of their original owners 
in the name and date " 17 77," stamped upon them. 

Mr. Jason Morse exhibited his grandfather Timothy 
Morse's cartridge-box and powder-horn, and also his com- 
mission as lieutenant, several interesting papers concerning 
camp duties, and a poAvder-horn carried by Joseph Elliot in 
the Revolution. Mr. James Gifl'ord exhibited a musket 
carried by Lewis Gifibrd, and Geo. W. Doolittle, a Revolu- 
tionary powder-horn . 

Mr. George Hartshorn Fisher, of Wrentham, contributed a 
sword carried by Jeremiah Hartshorn, a native and resident 
of Foxborough, when a soldier in the Continental army, and 
one of the donors of Foxborough Common when the land 
was given whereon to erect a meeting-house. iNliss Nellie 
Hewins exhibited a sword carried in that war by her grand- 
father. Mr. Adison Pratt Forrist, a silver-hilted sword, and 
adjutant's commission of his grandfather, Abijah Pratt, who, 
one hundred years ago, was a resident of Robbins's corner, 
now called East Foxborough, and an aide-de-camp to 
General Washington. 

Mr. I. Shepard Winslow, the captain's commission of his 
grandfather, Eleazer Robbins. 

Two cannon-balls were exhibited, one dug up on the Boy- 
den Farm, the other on the Hodges Farm. They were evi- 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 185 

dently cast at Stougbtoii furnace, and used in testing 
the cannon manufactured there in the early days of the 
Kevolution. 

Besides the mihtary relics lent by Mr. Jason Morse, and 
alluded to above, the Museum also received from him house- 
hold articles enouoh to have furnished an old-fashioned New 
England home. Iron and wood and pewter each played their 
part, and tobacco one hundred years old, spinning-wheels, 
frying-pans, toasters, trammels, mustard-pots, and pepper- 
boxes vied with each other for a share of attention, while 
one curious piece of furniture, one hundred and fifty years 
old, seemed to have doubled its capacity for work in the 
long rest to which it had been subjected, and readily trans- 
formed itself, at the spectator's will, from a large, circular- 
topped table into a .very capacious chair. 

Mrs. E. C. Baker exhibited the horns of a deer, killed 
more than one hundred years ago by her great-grandfather, 
Benjamin Guild, on the " Gilmore lot," near where the steam- 
mill now stands. 

Mr. Elbridge Barber exhibited a curious lock, more than 
one hundred and fifty years old ; Mrs. A. Barber, a tea-caddy, 
teapot, and creamer, brought from China more than a century 
ago, and Miss Sophronia Barber, a watch-case ; Mrs. Alpheus 
Bird, a book entitled The Doubting Christian, printed in 
1743 ; Miss Anna W. Billings, a chair, probably one hundred 
and fifty years old, and an old-style bonnet ; Mr. J. Maynard 
Billings, the record-book of a military company in Fox- 
borough, dating back to 1797. 

From the Boyden Homestead the Museum received, with 
other articles, several andirons and gourds, a foot-stove, 
books, old-style wooden butter-scales with stone weights, a 
primitive copper ''drip " lamp, acartridge box and Continen- 
tal hat. Also a collection of papers written by Seth Boyden, 
an early settler in Foxborough, and one of the proprietors 
"of a Lot of Land, being the Forty-fifth Lot in the Twenty- 



186 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

five Divisions of Land, so culled, situate, lying and beino; 
late in the Township of Dorchester and now (1738) in the 
Township of Stoughton " (now Foxborough) . These papers 
dated back to 1737, and included warrants issued to call 
meetings of the proprietors, as well as the original drafts of 
his reports of the deliberations in these meetings, and were 
interesting as giving many facts concerning the early da}'s of 
the Second Precinct of Stoughton, a portion of which is now 
in Foxborough. 

Mr. Alexander Boyden exhibited a garment spun and woven 
by his grandmother, several interesting letters and papers, 
and a number of household utensils, among which were a 
pestle and mortar bearing the date 1741 ; Mr. S. L. Boyden. 
a pair of money-scales used by his grandfather, Amos Boy- 
den. A similar pair were exhibited by Mr. Jason Morse. 
Mrs. Mary A. Boyden, a wooden plate, one hundred years 
old, formerly owned by Amos Bo3'den, and her grandmother's 
gold beads, one hundred and fifty-two years old. 

Mrs. Fisher Hartshorn, two large oil portraits of her father 
and mother, Lieut, and Mrs. Ezra Carpenter. The chair in 
which Ezra Carpenter sat when this picture was painted was 
exhibited by his son, Mr. Daniels Carpenter. 

Mr. Tyler Carpenter contributed a picture of the old Peter 
Carpenter House, which in Revolutionary days was used as a 
tavern, and w'as the half- w^ay house between Boston and Prov- 
idence ; Mv. Francis Carpenter, nails left when Mr. Ezra 
Carpenter's house was built, in 1783 ; Mrs. R. W. Carpenter, 
a birch band-box, one hundred years old. 

Mr. S. Irving Carpenter, a collection of old papers, re- 
ceipts, and notes of hand, bearing the signatures of many 
of the fathers of the town. 

Mrs. Ezra Carpenter, an ancient tea-canister and round 
centre-table. 

Mrs. Edson Capen, an antique mustard-pot, cup and 
saucer, bowl and salt-cellar. Mrs. Tryphena Capen, a very 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 187 

old eight-legged table, and a teapot, about two hundred years 
old. 

Mrs. James Capen, a chair, one hundred and five 3'ears 
old, two old-style veils, and a very old tea-can, containing 
tea twenty-live years old. 

Hon. Otis Gary, a " History of the Church since the days 
of our Saviour to the present age," printed in 1(334, a Bos- 
ton Directory for the year 1796, and a silver brooch and 
sleeve-buttons. 

Mrs. Joseph Carroll, almanacs for the years 1732-1751, 
containing memoranda in ink, and the dates of many biiths, 
deaths, and marriages, and whenever any incident of interest 
or importance occurred. 

Mrs. Julius Carroll lent the Museum more than two score 
well-preserved relics, mostly household utensils, among 
which the most noticeable were a pair of well-polished and- 
irons, a shovel and tongs, a foot-stove and warming-pan, a 
pannier-basket, tin kitchen and churn, a decorated tumbler, 
more than one hundred years old, given to Mrs. Rachel 
Pratt for a wedding present ; a spinning-wheel, with flax and 
tow, and several old-style bonnets and l)onnet-blocks. 

Mrs. Nancy Cleaveland exhibited a bonnet-block, ninety 
years old, and an umbrella, one hundred years old. Mrs. 
Susan Comey, a razor, more than a century old. Mrs. E. A. 
Cook, a small box, which has been handed down in the 
family for more than nine generations. 

Mrs. LeAvis Daniels contributed a sword and sun-dial, 
brought from Normandy in the year 1748, and a pair of 
wooden shoes, formerly owned and worn by Francis Daniels. 
Mr. Lewis G. Daniels, a deed and plan of a piece of land 
which, in 1753, was in Stoughton, in 1759 in Wrentham, and 
which is now in Foxborough. 

Mrs. Chloe Daniels, a silver-plated platter, and embroid- 
ered skirt, each more than one hundred years old, and a 
pewter platter, one hundred and twenty-five years old. 



188 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Mrs. James Daniels, a wine-glass, a century old or more. 
iNlrs. Walter Davis, a button-mould, brought from France 
more than a century ago. Dr. L. Dickerman exhibited a 
religious book printed in 1G2(). 

From Col John ^I. Everett the Museum received a sur- 
veyor's coni[)ass, more thau one hundred j'eai's old. It 
originally belonged to Dea. Aaron Everett, who was born in 
1748, and who used it in Wi'entham, now Foxborough, when 
he was a young man. The compass descended from him to 
Meletiah Everett, Esq., and tiually to Col. John ]M. Everett, 
its present owner. 

Miss Faimy Everett exhibited a chair used by the first 
teacher in what was formerly School District No. 1, and also 
a chair, now one hundred and sixty years old, which for- 
merly belonged to General Lincoln. From the same source 
was received a majolica plate, two hundred and twenty-live 
years old, and a tester, or canopy, for a high-posted bed- 
stead. This canopy, more than one hundred and fifty years 
old, was exhibited on a bedstead more than one hundred 
years old, contributed by Mr. Erastus Pettee. An accom- 
panying cradle, one hundred aud eight years old, w^as loaned 
by Mr. J. B. Morse. 

Mrs. E. Copeland Fales exhibited silver spoons and a 
quaintly pictured bedquilt, one hundred years old, which 
attracted much attention. 

Miss Elizabeth and Miss Maria Fales, a cushion, formerly 
used for making lace, with samples of lace made on it by 
their grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Comey. Mrs. Comey 
learned to make the lace when she w^as sixteen years old, 
ninety-five years ago. 

Mr. John Ferguson exhibited a pitcher which was brought 
from White Haven, England, in 1720. 

Mr. Abner Fairbanks, two mahogany chairs, one hundred 
and twenty-five years old, which formerly belonged to Mrs. 
Fairbanks' irrandmother. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 189 

A large platter, and small straw-covered box, or trunk, 
Avere exhibited by Mr. Adison P. Forrist, and are rei)uted 
to have come over in the " May Flower." They were inher- 
ited from Mr. Forrist's grandfather, Capt. Eleazer Robbins. 

Mr. Marcus P. Forrist exhibited a copy of the " Acts and 
Laws of Massachusetts" for the years 169i) to llViS. Miss 
Augusta Forrist exhibited a beautiful colored china set, 
formerly owned by her father, Mr. Calvin Forrist. This set 
was very much admired by all visitors at the Museum, who 
were doubly interested in it from the fact that, although 
bought in Boston, and brought to Foxborough the day pre- 
ceding the great September gale of 1815, it is still entire, 
not one of its many pieces ever having been broken or lost. 

Mrs. Albert Fisher exhibited the Uncle Josh. Boyden 
gourd, and a picture wrought in silk. 

Mrs. Susan C Gai'side, a deed given, Dec. 31, 1787, by 
Mr. Ezra Carpenter to Mrs. Anna Carpenter, in which, for 
a consideration, the former sells the latter "the pew next 
th(^ porch in the Gcdcnvay, at the east end of the Meeting 
House." Mrs. Garside also exhibited her grandmother's 
pocket-book, and one-sixtli of a dollar in paper money, 
dated Feb. 17, 177(), and bearing the rather startling in- 
junction, "Mind Your Business." 

Mrs. L. E. Gray exhibited an ancient salt-mortar, pewter 
platter, and wooden bowl. Miss S. H. Green, a picture 
wrought by Abigail Warren, in 1809, in memory of her 
grandmother, Mary Warren, who died at Ivoxbury, in 1803. 
Also, a ring, more than one hundred years old, owned by 
Mrs. Anne Warren, of Foxborough, and a plate resem])ling 
majolica, at least two hundred years old, owned by Mrs. Ezra 
Green. 

Dr. G. W. Harvey, two ancestral coats-of-arms, more than 
one hundred and fifty years old ; and a book of poems printed 
in 1791, and given to Samuel Welsh in the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1800, by Mr. John Wilson, of London, as they were 



190 FOXBOROUGH CEXTEXXIAL RECORD. 

riding together in a coach. Mr. N. B. Harvey, a base 
clariouette, formerly used in tlie old brick meeting-house, 
by Mr. Isaac Tiffan}^ and nearly one hundred 3'ears old. 
Mr. Benjamin Hodges, a pair of snow-shoes. Mrs. Irene 
Hodges, a book of sermons, printed 1647, and several an- 
cient garments. Miss Emma B. Hodges, samples of lace, 
made by her great-grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Comey, 
alluded to above. Miss Martha L. Hodges, a l)eautiful 
colored handkerchief, spun and woven by her great-grand- 
mother, ]\Irs. Junia Leonard. Mr. D. Allen Hodges, an 
immense pewter platter, which has descended in the family 
for several generations, and an Indian arrow-head dug on his 
father's farm. 

To C. AV. Hodges, Esq., the Museum Committee were in- 
debted for a large number of interesting relics, but especially 
for his enterprise in providing and setting up a weaving 
loom and the various implements used in the reduction of 
flax, and explaining their use. Mr. Hodges also exhibited 
an immense and aged wooden plough. 

Mr. Daniel Holt exhilnted a dish, said to be over three 
hundred years old. ]Mrs. Willard Hewins, a pair of Indian 
moccasins. Mrs. Julia A. C. Holden, several very line 
tortoise-shell combs, a pair of silver ear drops, some samples 
of tine needle-work and lace embroider}', and several Masonic 
and Veteran Association medals given to her father, Mr. 
Joshua Holden. 

Pr. J. G. S. Hitchcock added very much to the success of 
the Museum by contributing a variety of beautiful and 
valuable relics, one of which was a day-book of his great- 
great-grandfather, Nathaniel Green. Mr. Green, a Boston 
merchant, opened accounts in this book in 1714. In 1722 his 
son, Major Jeremiah Green, became his partner and book- 
keeper, and from that date the entries are in his handwrit- 
ing, and throw much light on the business and methods of 
those days. Also an oil portrait of Major Jeremiah Green, 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 191 

alluded to above, and a bill of lading, by which it appears 
that on July 24, 1754, four hogsheads of New England rum 
were " Shipped, by the Grace of God, in Good Order and 
well conditioned, by Jer. Green in and upon the good 
Schooner called the Dolphin," then " riding at anchor in the 
harbor of Boston, and by God's Grace bound for Phila- 
delphia"; the same "to be delivered in the like Good Order 
and Avell conditioned at the aforesaid Port of Philadelphia 
(the Dangers of the Seas only excepted) unto Wm. Morton 
or to his assigns, he or they paying the Freight for the said 
Goods four Shillings per hhd. Philadelphia Curryancy with 
Primao'e and Average accustomed." 

A license o^iven in 1781 bv George III., Kinii' of Ensfland, 
to George Joy, ancestor of Dr. Hitchcock, allowing him to 
pass the blockade with six vessels of corn and provisions. 
The license bears at its heading the sign manual of King 
George, and at its close that of William Henry, Duke of 
Portland, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the 
Home Department. Dr. Hitchcock also exhibited a Proc- 
lamation, issued by the Governor of Massachusetts m 1760, 
and an English gold watch, made before the reign of Charles 
II., more than two hundred and seventy-eight years ago. 

Mr. Charles Dixon exhibited an oil painting more than 
two hundred and five years old, and Miss Albina Hinckley 
a plate one hundred and fifty years old. 

Mr. Herbert \\\ Jewett, a very old Masonic pitcher, and 
Mrs. Hiram Jones, a carved oaken-chest more than two huu- 
di-ed and fifty years old. 

Dea. Charles N. Morse, a copy of the 'Ulster County Ga- 
zette," draped in mourning for the death of \Yashington, and 
a copy of the New England Covenant, dated 1723. 

Mr. Nelson Morse, a pair of spectacles, known* to be 
over one hundred years old, and specimens of Continental 
money. 

Mrs. Bainbridge Mo wry, two pieces of framed needle- 



192 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

work, an ancient quilt, an embroidered mourning piece, 
table covers, slippers, and feathers. 

Relics of the first meeting-house built in Foxborough were 
not wanting, and Col. John M. Everett gave the circular top 
to the old pulpit window, and Geo. W. Glines the latch to 
one of the doors, which, since the destruction of the meeting- 
house in 1822, had done good service on the door of a corn 
house. Though destroyed more than fifty years ago, many 
people in town remembered the old house of worship, and 
from their description, checked by each other and by records, 
several sketches of it were made by the Secretary of the 
Museum Committee, and finally one was obtained which 
seemed to ffive a correct idea of its form. For the informa- 
tion necessary to complete this sketch, the secretary was 
chiefly indebted to Mrs. Leonora Winslow, Mrs. Edson 
Carpenter, Mrs. Fisher Hartshorn, Mrs. Esther Pettee, Mr. 
Daniels Carpenter, and Mr. Jason Morse. 

Among the relics in the Museum not yet alluded to was a 
funeral ring bearing the inscription " L. Henchman o)).- 17 
Sep.- 17fil M. 27." This ring, Avhich was presented to the 
clergyman who officiated at the funeral obsequies of a brother 
clergyman, was probably first owned by the Rev. Phillips 
Payson, of Walpole, from whom it descended to his son, the 
Rev. John Payson, then to his grandson, Dr. William Pay- 
son, formerly of Foxborough, and finally to Dr. Payson's 
daughter, Miss Hannah W. Payson, by whom it was con- 
tributed. 

Another mebiento of the eighteenth century, which accom- 
panied the ring, was a pocket-book, Ave 11 worthy of mention, 
wrought by Miss Anna Perkins, of Lynnfield, bearing the 
name of her brother, William Perkins, and the date 1759. 
With fliese, and other articles of lesser consequence, were 
a few books, the oldest of which was a theological w^orlc, 
dated 163G, formerly owned by the Hon. Ebenezer Warren, 
of Foxborouirh ; also a volume of Dr. Watts' sermons, printed 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 193 

at Boston, 1746, and a Greek and Latin Testament, dated 
1741. These books were probably originally owned by 
Rev. Phillips Payson of Walpole. 

Mr. James A. Payson exhibited a punch-mug used in a 
hotel in Taunton more than eighty years ago. Mrs. Irene 
Perkins exhibited candle-snuffers, silk cocoons, and also 
some lace and bobbins made in 1763. 

Mr. Albert Plympton, a cane made by Zadok Howe. Mr. 
Willard Plympton, saddle-bags, and a box of flax and tow. 

Mr. Lewis Pond, Chairman of the Museum Committee, 
exhibited many interesting articles, among which were a 
sheep-bell cast in England moi-e than one hundred and fifty 
years ago, and a collection of native Indian relics, including 
knives, axes, arrow-heads, and ornaments. Mr. Pond also 
exhibited a very old coin, undoubtedly the oldest article in 
the Museum, for it purports to have been coined during the 
reign of Constantius, son of Constantine the Great, more 
than fifteen hundred years ago. 

Mr. D. B. Robinson exhibited a very ancient pitcher, and 
other household utensils, and Mr. Frank I. Sherman a deed 
given in 1736. 

Mrs. Isaac Smith, a plate which came over in the May- 
Flower, and was once the property of her grandmother, 
Ruth VA'hite, of Marshfield, a lineal descendant of Peregrine 
White. 

Mr. Chas. Clark Sumner exhibited a large wooden punch- 
bowl, brought from England to this country, more than two 
hundred years ag>>, by the Billings family. 

Mrs. Mary Sumner Davenport exhibited a picture of her 
grandmother, Mrs. Hannah Nutting Sumner, who lived to be 
one hundred and three years old. This picture, or profile, 
was made when Mrs. Sumner was one hundred years old, 
and it was accompanied by her fan, and by samples of needle- 
work made by her when she was one hundred and two years 
old. Mrs. Davenport also exhibited pewter ware, apparently 



194 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

as perfect as when first made, which was formerly owned by 
her grandmother Boyden. 

Mr. Charles I. Read, a woodcn-salter one hundred and 
sixty-seven years old, a needle-case one hundred and twenty- 
five years old, and a pin-ball one hundred and ten years old, 
made by Mrs. Zadok Howe. 

Carmi Richmond, Esq., a long list of relics, among which 
the most noticeable were a looking-glass taken from a British 
vessel, in the Enji^lish channel, bv his grandfather when on a 
privateering cruise ; two mugs, — one made at the time of the 
election of President Jefferson, the other more than two 
hundred years old; a leaf one hundred years old, lace one 
hundred and fifty years old, ear-rings and a spoon-mould one 
hundred years old, a Continental sixty-five-dollar bill, and a 
crape dress one hundred and fifty years old. 

Miss E. G. Ware, an oil portrait of her mother, painted 
seventy-six years ago, and a beautiful embroidered silk dress. 

Mr. H. G. Warren exhibited the old Wsirren crockery 
and a French gentleman's dress-sword. There was also a 
picture of the old Warren homestead, painted by Mr. Geo. 
B. Sherman. 

Mr. Fred. H. Williams, a silver spoon more than one hun- 
dred years old. 

Miss L. J. Winslow exhibited a salt-mortar one hundred 
and twenty-five years old, which formerly belonged to Capt. 
Eleazer Robbins, and the dental instruments of her grand- 
father. Dr. Shadrach Winslow. These instruments were 
interesting as showing one oi the methods of torture prac- 
tised a century ago. 

The Museum was closed Saturday, July 6th, having been 
open to the public nine days, during which time, though a 
large proportion of the visitors held complimentary tickets 
of admission, more than fifty-five dollars were realized over 
Hnd above expenses, and paid over to the Treasurer of the 
Executive Committee. 



VI. 

NINETEEN HUNDRED AND 
SEVENTY-EIGHT. 



Written by Amos J. Botden. 



When all who attended the recent Centennial Celebration 
shall have passed away and their places he filled by another 
generation, — when another hundred years shall be accom- 
plished and the inhabitants of Foxborongh take measures to 
celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation 
of their town, — then will the pages of her history and the 
annals of our country be studied, not only for the outlines of 
the past, not merely for dates and names and deeds, but for 
the motives which prompted to action, for the spirit which 
animates and has ever animated the loyal citizens of our 
town and country ; and to prove, that, of all the precious 
legacies of past generations of our republic to their succes- 
sors, those which have conferred the most lasting benefits 
were not the results of accident, but of wise foresight and 
generous personal sacrifice. 

And the feeling that this will be the spirit of historical 
research in years to come, — that the question may arise, 
whether, in our desire to commemorate the past, we have 
given one glance into the future, or one thought to those 
who are to follow us, — leads us to extend to all who in the 
year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-eight shall 
meet at our town's Bi-centennial Celebration, to all who shall 
on the appointed day look with longing eyes toward this 



196 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

place of their early childhood, most cordial, heartfelt greet- 
inojs. 

To the committees having charge of your celebration we 
extend the sympathy to which we know they will he justl}' 
entitled ; and, while we refer you to the report of our 
Executive Conmiittee for a catalogue of the difficulties you 
may expect to meet, we would not fail to call your attention 
to the fact, that, when so beloved a mother as our good old 
town sends out the invitation to her sons and daughters to 
come back to the old home and celebrate her birth, they 
return, not as straggling deserters, but joyfully and by 
thousands, to renew their allegiance to her, and to receive 
her forgiveness for past forgetfulness,- her ''Good-speed" 
for future enterprises. Joyfully we made this discovery, 
though at a late day ; and we impart it to you, trusting you 
will make it the guide in your preparations, and the main- 
spring of your success. 

Standing at the entrance to a new century, though we 
look with deepest interest into its coming years, we realize 
that fancy only can draw for us a dim outline of their 
mysteries, while hope and fear complete the unreal picture 
with their lights and shades. But before you the history 
of these years Avill spread out as the page of an open book ; 
and by the light which shines from that page must our work 
and that of our predecessors be judged. As, therefore, you 
study the history of your country, as with unprejudiced 
mind you judge of the comparative merits of j^ast acts of 
legislation or deeds of valor, remember that true principles 
are absolutely changeless ; that they cannot be choked by 
violence or drowned by praise ; that they are unaffected by 
acts of legislation ; and that, although they may be wilfully 
neglected, or, in times of ignorance, may for a season be 
lost to sight, they will surely rise wherever and whenever a 
true man is found. 

The magnet which drew the Pilgrim Fathers to Plymouth 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 197 

Rock was the resistless power of a strong, true principle. 
iVnd that principle remained the same through all those 
early years in New England when even its avowed cham- 
pions -seem to have almost lost sight of it in the mists of 
bigotry and persecution. Our sires fought the battles of 
the Revolution for a principle. And that principle remains 
the same to-day, will ever remain the same, that it was one 
hundred years ago ; unaffected by the fact that its defenders 
fought in ragged coats and left their bloody footprints on the 
winter snows ; unaffected by the fact that their country re- 
deemed its pledges by paying these brave men in a depreci- 
ated currency worth but two and one-half cents on a dollar. 

We make no prophecies concerning the future of Fox- 
borough ; they are unnecessary. We laud not too highly 
her past history or her present standing ; for of all these 
you will be better judges than we. But we know that 
her true worth and dignity in years to come, her real 
position among her honorable sister towns and in the State, 
will depend, not on her acres of public buildings or her 
miles of streets, not on the millions of dollars invested in 
her enterprises or the number of her inhabitants, but on the 
simple, vital question, whether those inhabitants be true and 
loyal men and women, — able to think for themselves, and 
willing to penetrate the dust and chaff of public opinion, 
and from the errors and successes of their predecessors, as 
well as the good and evil which their own eyes see, to resur-' 
rect and promulgate the eternal principles of truth and jus- 
tice. 

Should the lapse of another hundred years show that we or 
our fathers have, as a nation, failed to do this, let our failure 
be your guide. Have we in a measure succeeded, let that 
measure of success be for you a stepping-stone to a broader, 
higher success, which shall guarantee to every man, woman, 
and child in our beloved land, that life, liberty, and pursuit 
of happiness which alone can fulfil the spirit of the Consti- 



198 FOXBOROUGU CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

tution. For this we live ; for this our fathers lived. And, 
that you may do your part in the accomplishment of this 
high aim, we leave to you the rights granted by a Constitu- 
tion which embalms the noblest thoughts of all ages, and 
ask you to maintain the spirit of that Constitution by such a 
system of public-school instruction as shall teach all to 
appreciate the rights granted therein. 

We leave to you that precious heirloom, a share in the 
fortunes of a mighty nation, and appeal to you to so use 
that unit of power in the civil government that your voice 
can ever and consistently ])e raised against oppression, and 
for the equalization of the opportunities for true improve- 
ment among all classes of men. 

And, finally, we leave to you our township. Are her 
fields and meadows fruitful and well Tvatered, rejoice in the 
wealth thus afibrded. Are they stony and unfruitful, 
rejoice ; for the toil which makes the wilderness to blossom 
as the rose, which converts the desert into a garden, and 
barren fields into garnered wheat, should also develop clear 
heads and willing hands, and that greatest of blessings to 
any nation, — true, honest men. 



VII. 

A MEMORIAL RECORD 

OF THE 

PATEIOTISM OF OUR SOLDIERS AND TOWN. 



An Address delivered in Town Hall, Foxborough, befohe Post 91, 
G.A.R., May 31, 1877, by Hon. E. P. Carpenter. 

Another Decoration Day, with fitting services and cere- 
monies, has passed — the flowers are still fresh upon the 
graves of our "heroic dead;" the 30th day of May, 1<S77, is 
recorded as a day consecrated to the remembrance of those 
who fell in our late struggle, so glorious, if unhappy. But 
we think of them without anguish, recalling their heroic ef- 
forts and sacrifices, and the immortality they have earned. 
In the eloquent language of Gov. Andrew, "During the ages 
to come, the muse will brood over their memory. By the 
homely traditions of the fireside, by the headstones in the 
church-yard, consecrated to those whose forms repose far oft' 
in rude graves by the Rappahannock, or sleep beneath the 
sea, embalmed in the memories of succeeding generations of 
parents and children, the heroic dead will live on, in immor- 
tal youth. By their names, their fate, their glory, they can- 
not fail." Their former comrades can say of them, with the 
great poet : — 

" Trumpet and fife, swelling choral along. 

The triumph already sweeps, marching in song. 
Farewell, fallen brothers ! though this life be o'er, 
There's another in which we shall meet you once more." 



200 FOXBOROUGH CENT ENS I AL RECORD. 

I do not propose, od this occasion, to detain you with gen- 
eral remarks upon the valor and serviices of our volunteers, 
or with thoughts suggested by Decoration Day. My inten- 
tion is, rather, as briefly as may be possible, to set forth the 
military record of our soldiers and town. 

The territory of Foxborough was made up from parts of 
Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughton, and Stoughtonham (now 
Sharon ). Wrentham was incorporated in 1673 ; Walpole, in 
1724 ; Stoughton, in 1726 ; Sharon, in 1765 ; Foxborough, on 
the 10th of June, 1778. It was born, therefore, amid the 
throes of the Revolutionary period. Lexington, Bunker 
Hill, the siege and evacuation of Boston, were memorable 
deeds already quite passed by in the rapid rush of events. 
Washington had occupied and evacuated New York ; Long 
Island and Staten Island had been lost to the enemy, who 
had, moreover, taken the forts upon the Hudson river, and 
oveiTun the Jerseys, occupying Philadelphia. The fame which 
Washington won by the brilliant engagements at Trenton and 
Princeton had been somewhat dimmed by the indecisive or 
disastrous engagements at the Brandy wine, Germantown, and 
Monmouth Court House ; but the failure of the Gates and 
Conway intrigue to displace him from the chief command 
demonstrated what a strong hold lie already had upon the 
affections and respect of his countrymen. 

In the North the patriots had been more fortunate. At 
Bennington, on the Kith of August, 1777, the sturdy Stark 
had defeated the Hessian Colonels Baum and Breyman, in 
the gflorious battle of Bennin"rton, the centennial of which 
will soon be celebrated in unison by Vermont, New Hamp- 
shire, and Massachusetts, which shared the dangers and glory 
of the fight. 

This victory reanimated the people of New England and 
New York, and prepared the way for the overthrow and sur- 
render of the proud army of Burgoyne, Oct. 16, 1777. 
The finances of the United States were in a most de- 



FOXBOROUGH CEXTEXXIAL RECORD. 201 

plorable condition. The liabilities contracted by Con- 
gress amounted to $40,000,000 ; Massachusetts alone owed 
$5,000,000. The entire debt contracted for the war amounted 
to at least $65,000,000. 

Continental money depreciated to at least six for one in Xew 
England, and eight for one in the South. At a later period 
the money wages, for one year, of Ezra Carpenter, here in 
Foxborough, upon the farm of Benjamin Pettee, now owned 
by Daniels Carpenter, was only sufficient to buy him a pair 
of cowhide shoes. 

Thus the financial status of the infant republic was well- 
nigh desperate. Yet faith and hope were strong. 

June l-i, 1777, the flag of the stars and stripes had been 
adopted. Though harassed and depreciated, the immortal 
Washington was 

•'Patient of toil, serene amidst alarms, 
Inflexible in foith, invincible in arms." 

In that year, too, Lafayette had brought his, sword, his 
youthful enthusiasm, and his loyal devotion, to the American 
cause. January oO, 1778, France and the United States 
signed two treaties, — one of friendship and commerce, the 
other of defensive alliance ; and this alliance, embroiling 
England with France, eventually rescued our independence 
from the countless dangers that beset it. 

June 13, 1778. the British Commissioners — the Earl of 
Carlisle, Wm. Eden, and Gov. Johnstone — communicated to 
Congress proposals as a basis of peace, an extension of colonial 
trade ; no militar}" force to be quartered in any colony with- 
out the consent of its Assembly ; an arrangement for sustain- 
ing the Continental bills of credit and their ultimate dis- 
charge ; a representation of the colonies in the Parliament of 
Great Britain and of the British government in the colonial 
assemblies. In short, King George oliered almost every- 
thing short of total independence ; but Congress peremptorily 



202 FOXBOROVGTT CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

refused to treat, unless the independence of the States was 
first acknowledged, or the troops withdrawn. This was three 
days after the incorporation of our little town. Five days 
later, on the 18th of June, Philadelphia was evacuated by 
the British. 

Thus, amidst the mingled hopes and fears of Americans, 
Foxborousrh began its existence as a town. The inhabitants 
of the territory embraced in it had already evinced their 
willingness to share in all patriotic perils and sufferings. 
When enlistments were first called for, Lieut. Timothy Morse 
recruited twenty-four men in the crowded bar-room of the 
old tavern at Wrentham, for three years' service. My grand- 
father, Ezra Carpenter, was at work in a ditch on the land 
now owned by his son, Daniels Carpenter, when the minute 
men were first summoned by the alarm, upon the news of 
the battle of Lexington. He dropped his tools, ran for his 
musket and knapsack, seized a parcel of bread and meat, 
bade good-by to his friends, and started to join his company 
at Wrentham ; but, fiiiling to find it there, he continued his 
march alone to Dedham, and there joining other comrades, 
they continued on and overtook the company at Roxbury. 

He Avas at the siege of Boston, and there, while doing 
guard duty, had a narrow escape from a cannon-ball, that 
came so near to him that he lost a portion of his shirt from 
his back and was thrown headlong to the ground, and reported 
by the soldier on guard with him as having been killed. He 
lived to the age of eighty-nine, and the speaker has often 
listened with boyish enthusiasm to his stories of Revolutionary 
service, protracted for three years. He was, doubtless, a sol- 
dier of Putnam's, at Long Island ; he certainly crossed the 
Delaware, under Washington, on the memorable Christmas 
eve of 1776, and on Christmas morning, at eight o'clock, 
rushed in with his comrades upon the surprised and sleepy 
Hessians, confused with the last night's debauch. The}^ had 
thrown their fresh-baked bread into the " horse-pond ; " but it 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 203 

was, nevertheless, rescued on the points of bayonets, and 
proved, after a shaving process, a savory morsel to the half- 
starved Americans This Foxborough soldier and his com- 
rades, a number of Avhom lived and died within my remem- 
brance, but of whose particular history I have no Ivuowledge, 
wintered in 1776-77 at Morristown, in comparative com- 
fort; but in 1777-78, the distress in the Avinter quarters of 
Washington's army was terrible, and the old campaigners 
often dwelt upon its details. December 10, 1777, the army 
went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. Eleven thousand 
soldiers were quartered in log huts, each containing fourteen 
men. For Avant of shoes, all the late marches had been 
marked Avith blood from wounded feet. For lack of blankets, 
many of the men Avere compelled to sit up all night before 
the camp-fires. More than one quarter were unfit for duty, 
because barefoot and otherwise naked. ProA'isions failed ; 
more than once there Avas famine in the camp. 

Such was the service and suffering of the Foxborough sol- 
diers in the Revolution. As there Avere, of course, no records 
until after 1778, we are unable to find the responses the town 
would, if in existence, have made to the stirring appeals of 
James Otis, John Adams, Hancock, and Samuel Adams, ad- 
dressed to the little rural municipalities; but Ave find, in the 
very first warrant issued for a town meeting, dated June 12, 
1778, "Article 5th : to see if the toAvn Avill carry on the AA'ar 
by way of a rate, or act or do anything thereon they shall 
see fit ; " feeling and assuming, as it were, the Avhole responsi- 
bility of carrying on the war. And it Avas this spirit that 
established our republic. As the grandson of a Revolution- 
ary soldier, the speaker may be pardoned for expressing the 
gratification he has experienced in serving as your represen- 
tative upon the Commission Avhich has deposited the noble 
statue of Samuel Adams in the capitol at Washington, as the 
gift of Massachusetts to the nation and her tribute of admi- 
ration to him, often called "the pilot of the Revolution." 



204 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

It is said and claimed that Uriah Atherton, of Foxbor- 
ough, cast at Sharon the tirst cannon of the Revolutionary 
War. 

The Revolutionary patriots of Foxhorough bore the names 
of Boyden, Billings, Carpenter, Forrest, Hartshorn, Ilowe, 
Morse, Everett, Pettce, etc. ; in all, twenty-four in number. 

The same names reappear, in the war of 1812, among 
the thirty-eight men furnished by the town to the light 
infantry company which reported at Roxbury, serving fifty 
six days in and about the forts of Boston Harbor. Daniel 
Everett was its captain; Asa Plympton, lieutenant; Amos 
Morse, ensign. Of the soldiers of 1812, four are still 
living, — Alexander Boyden, Francis Carpenter, Daniels 
Carpenter, and Lyman Comey, — whose united ages are 
quite three hundred and thirty years. 

July 2, 1812, the town voted "to make up to the soldiers 
detached from the militia in Foxborough and inhabitants 
of Foxborough, with the government pay, twelve dollars per 
month for May, June, July, August, September, and Octo- 
ber, and ten dollars for November, December, January, 
February, March, and April, if they are called into active 
service." 

Aug. 22, 1814, it was voted " to make up to the soldiers 
of the last detachment, and all who may be detached in 
Foxborough previous to March next, eighteen dollars a 
month each, and each five dollars bounty." At a meeting 
Nov. 7, 1814, the part of the vote about bounty was recon- 
sidered. 

It may be worth while to note, that in 1815, at the 
close of the war, one hundred and fifty-two votes were 
thrown for governor; and, in the absence of statistics 
showing the number of inhabitants of the town at that 
time, we are led to infer that Foxborough had a large 
representation of soldiers in the war of 1812. Foxbor- 
ouo:h furnished one man to the Massachusetts rejriment in the 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 205 

Mexican War, whose name was Henry Hunnewell ; but, as 
it is well known, that war Avas not popular in this region. 
Time passed and bronght us to the presidential election of 
1860, and its immediate consequences, culminating in the 
fall of Fort Sumter. The deadening spirit of compromise 
and submission, which dominated in the laige commercial 
cities in the winter of 1860 and 1861, had a palsying efiect 
upon the patriotism of the country ; but, wMth the outrage to 
the tlag, American manhood flamed forth. Fort Sumter fell 
on Saturday, April 13, 1861. On Monday, April 15, 
Col. A. B. Packard, of Quincy, commanding the Fourth 
Regiment Massachusetts Militia, received orders to appear 
at Boston, on the following; mornins;, with his command. 
The adjutant, Henry Walker, of Quincy, sent them at once 
to the several companies, by special messenger, Avho reached 
the last company — Company G, of Taunton — in a driv- 
ing storm of wind and rain, beating up Capt. Gordon at three, 
A.M., of the 16th of April. Company F, of the Fourth, 
was known as the " Warren Light Guard of Foxborough." 
It was organized under the act of Jan. 22, 1776 ; and in 
1861 was said to hold the oldest charter in the State, 
granted upon petition, all similar having disbanded. In 
1854 it was changed from an artillery into a light infantry 
company. In 1857 its location was changed from Norton 
to Foxborough. Its name was, of course, in memory of the 
martyr of Bunker llill, whose brother. Judge Warren, 
resided in Foxborough in the house that his lineal descend- 
ant, our worth}^ citizen, Henry G. Warren, now owns and 
occupies. The son of General Warren was buried in the 
old burving-ground : but his remains were removed some 
years since. 

In April, 1861, David L. Shepard was its captain ; Moses 
A. Richardson and Carlos A. Hnrt, its lieutenants, — all of 
Foxborouo:h. Alvin E. Hall, of Foxborousrh, was sero^eant- 
major of the regiment. 



206 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Capt. Shcpurd received his orders at nine o'clock, P.M., 
and immediately notified officers and men to report at the 
armory at the Cocasset House, as early as possible on the 
following morning. The members of the company were 
scattered well over the town, and out of town ; but a hirge 
number reported equii)ped for duty at about ten o'clock. 
It was a solemn moment of parting. Excitement was in- 
tense. "Esquire" Bird, — as he was known and called by 
all, and of whom it could be truly said, if it could be said 
of any man, "an honest man is the noblest work of God," — 
inspired with patriotic zeal and fervor, made a most feeling 
and eloquent address to the soldiers who had been called to 
defend the honor of their country ; to which Capt. Shepard 
fittinoly replied in behalf of the company. There were a 
number of our young men who volunteered to don the 
uniforms of members of the company, wdio had families, 
and to " fall in " and follow the fortunes of the company, 
and did so. The company were followed by a large num- 
ber of friends and citizens to East Foxborough, where they 
took the train for Boston, and promptly reported at the 
State House. The same readiness was evinced throughout 
the entire regiment. At Quincy, Adjutant Walker beat the 
drum for recruits. One man said, "I want to see my wife." 

— "No time for leave-taking," said the adjutant ; "fall in." 

— "Do you want an Irishman?" said one. — "Do you be- 
lieve in the old flag? If you do, fall in." So he fell in, 
and marched in his shirt-sleeves. 

The Fourth Regiment was prepared to march on the 16th ; 
but no transportation could be furnished until the 17th, and 
it was quartered for the night in Faneuil Hall. As it was, 
it left the State for the seat of war before any other regi- 
ment. On Wednesday, the 17th, it left Faiusuil Hall at 
three, P.M., and marched to the State House, where Gov. 
Andrew made one of his most inspiring addresses. He 
said: "It gives me unspeakable pleasure to witness this 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 207 

array from the good old Colony. You have come from the 
shores of the sounding sea, where lie the ashes of Pilgrims ; 
and you are bound on a high and noble pilgrimage for 
liberty, for the Union, and Constitution of your country. 
Soldiers of the old Bay State, sons of sires who never dis- 
graced their flag in civil life or on the tented field, I thank 
you from the bottom of my heart for this noble response to 
the call of your State and your country. You cannot wait 
for words. I bid you God-speed and an afiectionate fare- 
well."' Col. Packard modestly responded : " Your Excel- 
lency, I am scarcely able to speak. All I can say is, we 
will endeavor to do our duty." Gov. Andrew replied : " I 
know you will endeavor ; and I know, colonel, you will 
succeed." The Fourth embarked at Fall River on the 
steamer "State of Maine," the same night, and arrived in 
New York in the afternoon of the next day. The boat was 
improperly ballasted, and her captain did not consider her 
safe to carry troops ; so that Col. Packard telegraphed to 
Gov. Andrew for instructions. He replied : " If the captain 
says he can carry your men, go on ; Massachusetts must be 
first on the ground." After a short delay, reballasting the 
steamer, she proceeded to Fortress Monroe ; about the 
safety of which much anxiety was felt, as it was insufli- 
ciently garrisoned and dangerously situated. Gov. An- 
drew's order, issued from the oflice of the Adjutant-General, 
April 17, 1861, directed "Col. Packard, of the Fourth 
Regiment Second Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Militia, to proceed to Fortress Monroe, by 
steamer to be provided, to enter into the service of the 
United States as United States Militia; and, on being joined 
by Col. Wardrop's regiment (Third Massachusetts Volun- 
teer Militia), he will take command of them also." 

The steamer left New York at night-fall, and was about 
thirty hours on the way. Capt. Shepard was ordered to' 
take charge of the boat. Only two companies were allowed 



208 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

to remain on deck. The rest were sent below under a 
guard ; the fear being that, if the men were allowed to rush 
to and fro, the inadequately balhisted steamer might capsize. 
Arriving at Fortress Monroe at an early hour on the morn- 
ing of Saturday, the 20th, and seeing no flag flying from it, 
"we spent," says an officer of the Fourth, "an hour of 
anxiety lying off and on, doubtful who held the fort. But 
at length the glorious banner of the stars and stripes was 
unfurled, and she landed her precious freight. We found 
some two hundred and fifty regulars, worn out with watch- 
ing, who heartily welcomed us. The Fortress was almost 
defenceless. We spent the next month in guard and fatigue 
duty, mounting guns, and storing provisions." The uniforms 
became so threadbare that the men, many of them, were 
obliged to wear their overcoats on parade, to covtr their new 
raglan style of pants. As the regiment was the first to 
leave Massachusetts, it was also the first to reach the actual 
seat of war, and the first mustered in the service of the 
United States. It was mustered into the service April 22. 
The Third and Fourth Massachusetts saved Fortress Monroe, 
whose value to the Union cause was beyond all price ; for, 
had it fallen into the hands of the enemy, no one could 
estimate the cost in treasure and blood to have regained the 
same. 

May 27 the regiment went from the Fortress to Newi:)ort 
News, and fortified it. 

It was at this time, under a commission from the town, 
that the speaker vifeited Fortress Monroe as bearer of kind 
messao-es and remembrances from friends at home, and to 
provide for the needs and comfort of our soldiers. Report- 
ing to General Butler, who was then in command, I obtained 
a permit, and accompanied the general and stafl* to Newport 
News. The stern realities of war were still in the future, 
and when we landed, instead of finding the troops fortifying, 
or watching the enemy, who was said to be near at hand, be- 




Howe Monument. Page 2p 



r- 




FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 209 

hind entrenchments, the scene was more like an old-fashioned 
muster-field, — a regular holiday show. One of our soldiers, 
and about the first one I saw, had embarked in the butchering 
business, and was skinning a pig, shot on "Uncle Sam's 
Farm." Another had gone into the horse and mule busi- 
ness, and was ready to sivap or trade on most favorable 
terms, as he had purchased cheap of a contraband, in the ab- 
sence of his master. Another had made an investment in the 
imod and //ve-feather business, and had borrowed a hand-cart 
to bring his goods or merchandise to camp, and was quite 
willing to throw in the meat of the poultry, and wood to 
cook with, if he could only have the feathers returned in 
ffood order for the fillino- of a bed. I had no occasion to 
complain of my rations during my visit, which will always 
be held in pleasant remembrance, for the hearty welcome re- 
ceived. I don't know how I should have felt if I had been 
"armefZ and equipped as the law directs ; " for a musket is a 
good thing for courage when you don't know who is around ; 
but I confess I felt rather more secure and at ease within th'e 
walls of the Fortress. But this is a digression, for which I 
beg pardon, and will return to our record. 

Four companies as a battalion, united with some Vermont 
and New York troops, under Major Winthrop, participated 
in the unfortunate affair at Big Bethel, where plenty oi pluck 
was exhibited, but little or no capacity. Company F was 
not ordered^ but volunteered to go into the fight, and did go, 
instead of Capt. Bumpus' company, of Braintree. It is said 
that history repeats itself; but history would make a great 
blunder to repeat the battle of Great Bethel, if we can believe 
what is recorded of its generalship on our side. The Fourth 
was the only organization which marched into camp that night 
in regular order, at shoulder arms. 

The news of this battle created an intense excitement and 
feeling through the State, as the report first came that the 
Fourth Massachusetts was "all cut to pieces." 



210 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

July 3, the Fourth, with the Third Massachusetts, were 
ordered to occupy Plampton, which they partially fortified. 

Jul}' 17 tjicy left Hampton for Fortress jNIonroe, on their 
way home, having served their time of enlistment. The regi- 
ment was mustered out July 22, at Long Island, Boston 
Bay. They received high praises for their service from 
Colonel Dimmock, the conmiandant of the Fortress, and 
from Gen. Butler, who said, in farewell, "You iiave done 
your <luty well. You have all along been in the advance, at 
Fortress Monroe, at Newport News, at Hampton." I have 
dwelt with particularity upon its service as a three months' 
regiment, because of the stirring patriotism, promptness, and 
magnetic energy with which it was rendered at an awful crisis 
of our history. On its return to Foxborough, Company F, 
with full ranks, was warmly received ; an address of welcome 
was made by E. P. Carpenter. But the service of the Fourth 
Regiment did not end here ; when, in the early summer of 
18(')2, Gen. Banks retreated down the valley of the Shenan- 
doah, Gov. Andrew called for more troops (May 2()), the 
Fourth Regiment was again ordered out. Lieut. -Col. Walker, 
the late adjutant, read the order at Quincy, on his way to 
the railroad station. He drove through the country, and 
caused alarm-bells to be rung. In forty-eight hours the regi- 
m(!nt had eight hundred men in Boston. But they were 
not wanted, as the alarm had passed, and so they returned 
home. 

In July, 1862, came the call for 200,000 nine-months' men, 
Lieut. -Col. Walker at once tendered the Fourth Regiment, the 
first offered, and, beiug accepted, went into camp at Lake- 
ville, in August. Company F did not lose its identity as 
a Foxborough company, though we find but a small number 
of the three-months' men upon the roll-call, as many of them 
had enlisted in other regiments, and the compan}- was re- 
cruited for the most part with new members. They went 
into camp with C. F. Howard, as captain, and Moses A. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 211 

Richardson, of Foxborough, and Benj. H. Richmond, of 
Norton, lieutenants. The company were mustered into ser- 
vice Sept. 23. Capt. Howard was commissioned major, 
and sworn or mustered in as such Dec. 16, which necessi- 
tated the election of another captain. On the election of 
First Lieut. Wm. R. Black, of Company G, Taunton, as 
captain, Lieut. Moses A. Richardson resigned, and Benj. 
H. Richmond, of Norton, was elected first lieutenant, and 
Isaac H. Bonney, of Foxborough, second lieutenant. Fox- 
borough is accredited with forty-seven men in this company. 
Dec. 25, 1862, the regiment left camp for New York, and 
thence went to New Orleans. It was in the first Port Hud- 
son expedition, when the nol)le old Farragut ran by in the 
"Richmond," Col. Walker was put in command at Brashear 
City ; whence. May 28, 1863, the regiment was again ordered 
to Port Hudson. 

June 14th, Capt. Bartlett, of Company K, led the storm- 
ing party, and Avas killed on the very slope of the enemy's 
works, gallantly leading. Four officers of the Fourth were 
in the advance, of whom one was killed and two wounded. 
The regiment lost every fifth man. Ten Foxborough 
soldiers in Company F laid down their lives in patriotic 
devotion to their country. Their names are found enrolled 
with the "heroic dead" in yonder Memorial Hall, and will be 
held in grateful remembrance when your name and mine shall 
be forgotten. The regiment was mustered out Aug. 22, 
1863, most of the men having been in service eleven months. 
Gen. Emor}^ said, "It was one of the best regiments in my 
whole division. It was well disciplined. It was remarknble 
for its camp, police, and sanitary discipline. I rememl)er 
signalizing it before the whole division at Baton Rouge, on 
account of its extreme excellence in these respects." If you 
would learn more of the history of this regiment, call upon 
the living witnesses now before you, for their testimony 
w'ould be the whole history of a Massachusetts regiment. 



212 FOXBOROUGir CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

that rendered invaluable service to the country, and gained 
imperishuble laurels for itself. 

Foxborough men are found enrolled in Seventh Massachu- 
setts, raised by that distinguished officer, Maj.-Gen. D. N, 
Couch, at Taunton. It was mustered into the service June 
15, 18(51, and mustered out July 5, 18()4. Upon its standard 
Avill be found a long list of battles in which it was engaged. 
Of this regiment, on the 5th of May, 1864, the first day of 
the Wilderness, Col. Briggs, of the Tenth, writes, "Men fell 
like leaves in autumn ; yet the regiment stood firm, never 
wavered, till, the ammunition being expended, it was promptly 
relieved by Lieut. -Col. ^Harlow and the Seventh Massachu- 
setts. Would I could sound a note to his praise, than whom 
none is more Avorthy."' 

Some Foxborough soldiers served in the "Immortal Sixth 
Regiment," when called to serve one hundred days. 

Eight companies of the Eighteenth Regiment were re- 
cruited chiefly in Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol Counties. 
Col. James Barnes, of Springfield, commanded it. It was 
mustered Aug. 27, 1861. Foxborough had a number of 
representative soldiers in this regiment, who have a good 
record, and two of Company I are registered with the 
"heroic dead."' 

About forty men are credited to Foxborough upon the 
roster of the 23d Regiment, commanded by Col. Kurtz. 
Company K was recruited by Capt. Carlos K. Hart, in this 
town, and was known as the "Foxborough Company." It 
went into camp with the regiment at Lynnfield, in command 
of Capt. Hart, with John Littlefield and Benjamin F. Bar- 
nard, lieutenants. The regiment left camp for Annapolis 
Nov. 11, 1861, and was mustered out at Readville July 
12, 1865. It went with Gen. Burnside to Roanoke Island. 
It fouo-ht its first battle Feb. 8, 1862, which lasted two 
days ; twenty-five hundred prisoners were captured in the 
two days' engagements. It was at Newbern, Goldsborough, 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 213 

and in other engagements in North Carolina ; and at Driiry's 
Bluff, Cold Harbor, and the other terrific battles of Grant's 
campaign of 18()4, in Virginia. Col. John W. Raymond, the 
last commander, says of this regiment: "In closing ni}^ nar- 
rative of the regiment, I cannot refrain from speaking a few 
words in commendation of both men and officers during the 
time I had the honor to command them. Their excellent 
conduct while in camp or garrison, their courage and bravery 
under fire, their vigilance and fidelity at all times displayed, 
entitle them to the highest praise, and have won for them 
the approbation of all who have been in command over 
them. Rest assured that the Twenty-third Regiment, as 
an organization, never brought discredit upon their native 
State ; and I shall count it the highest honor of my life that 
I have been privileged to command it." 

Such words, coming from Col. Raymond, are commenda- 
tions that every soldier of the regiment may well be proud 
of; and its record needs no further endorsement to make it 
equal to the best. 

One Foxborough soldier perished in Company A of the 
Twenty-fourth Regiment, in which a number enlisted, which 
fought from Roanoke Island to Petersburg. It was not mus- 
tered out of service until Jan. 20, 1866. On the 27th Gov. 
Bullock received its colors, and said : "I welcome you home. 
But all have not returned : eight officers of the line and two 
hundred and ten enlisted men have fallen in battle, and by 
the casualties of war. It onl}^ remains that I should now 
transfer your colors to the great companionship in which 
they shall henceforth be preserved, and that, in behalf of a 
grateful people, I should greet and honor your return." 

We had representatives in the Fifty-sixth Infimtry, which 
left Massachusetts March 21, 1863, which emblazons heroic 
service upon its flag at Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold 
Harbor, Petersburg, the Welden Railroad, and the pursuit 
of Lee. 



214 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

One of our honored dead was of the First Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillorv, previously Fourteenth Infantr}^ which, 
after ijuarding the forts about Washington for two years, 
went into the field in 1864, and fought from Spottsylvania 
to Hatche's Run. Foxborough men fought also in the 
Ninth, Seventeenth, Twentieth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty- 
eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, Thirty-second, Thirty- 
third, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-eighth, Fortieth, Forty-seventh, 
Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth, and Fifty-eighth Regiments of 
Massachusetts ; in her First, Second, Third, and Fourth 
Cavalry ; in the Third, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, 
and Sixteenth Massachusetts Batteries ; in the First Heavy 
Artillery; in the Eighteenth and Twentieth Unattached; 
in the First Rhode Island Artillery and Seventh Rhode 
Island Infantry ; and we had representatives in the Regular 
Army, Xavy, and Veteran Reserve Corps. 

Having made up "Our Soldiers' Record," which must 
necessarily be imperfect in some respects for want of proper 
time to obtain the required data, we will now refer to 
the patriotism of the town, as shown by the acts of its 
citizens. 

Ahnost immediately npon dismissing their fellow-citizens 
of Company F, Fourth Regiment, to the field of war, the 
citizens of Foxborough beg-an to consider their dutv as 
patriots, in a larger way. 

At a town meeting held May 4, 1861, it was voted that 
the treasurer shall borrow $10,000 for a war fund, to be paid 
in five equal annual instalments, commencing Oct. 5, 1862. 
E. P. Carpenter, ^Y . P. Shepard, Otis. Cary, J. E. Car- 
penter, and Elisha White were constituted a committee to 
purchase clothing and supplies for volunteers, and to meet 
the various wants of their families. 

It was also voted to appropriate $3,000 to procure rifles 
for the members of the rifle company, and E. P. Carpenter 
was designated as agent to obtain them. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



215 



The government refused to accept this company, and it 

was disbanded. , ^ .,• ^ i 

June 15th it was voted to pay aid to the famibes of so - 
diers in accordance with Chapter 222 of the laws ot lb61. 
E P Carpenter, as chairman of the Relief Committee, made 

a report of his visit to Company F, at Fortress Monroe, 

July 2'> 1862, $100 each was voted as a bounty to 24 
persons, who might volunteer nnder the recent call of 
President Lincoln; and the bounty was afterwards raised 

to '?il25 

In^ Uth the town passed the following vote : "Whereas 
the town of Foxborou-h is desirons of standing shoulder to 
shoulder with their fellow-citizens of other towns m filbng 
up the second quota of 300,000 men ordered by the Presi- 
dent of the United States to be drafted for service on or 
about the 1st of September next; and whereas the citizens 
believe that our old Commonwealth will fill said quota 
by volunteers, without a draft becoming necessary ; ai.d 
whereas time is of importance, and the towns are not fully 
aware of the sum the exigencies of the occasion will require 
but have full confidence in the patriotism and judgment of 
the selectmen, -therefore. Resolved, That the selectmen 
proceed to take such measures as they may deem wise and 
expedient to enlist such numbers of men as may be required 
from this town by said draft ; and the town pledges to them 
that such sums of money shall be voted to them hereafter as 
may be necessary to carry out this vote." 

Sept 20th a vote was passed, approving of the Select- 
men's offer of a -bounty of $150 for nine-months' men It 
was voted, also, to pay $150 to each inhabitant of the town 
of Foxborough enlisting in Company F of the Fourth 
Militia Regiment for nine months' service, and to as many 
others as mid^t be needed to fill the quota. There were 
two negative Votes. The treasurer was authorized to bor- 



216 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

row for the purpose ti sum not exceeding $10,000 ; it was 
also voted to extend the same aid to the families of drafted 
men as to volunteers. 

]March 26, 1864, it was voted to reimburse $3,900 fur- 
nished by individuals to procure the town's quota of volun- 
teers, under the calls of Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864. 
There was one vote in the negative. 

eTune 18, 1864, it was voted that the treasurer have 
authority to borrow $2,875, to pay expenses incurred in 
filling the town's quota, under the call of March 14, 1864. 

Aug. 1, 1864, it was voted tq raise a sum not exceeding 
$125 per man to till the quota under the call of July 18, 
1864, for 500,000 men. March 11, 1865, it was voted to 
appropriate a sum not exceeding $300 to make up a de- 
ficiency in paying $125 each per man to fill the quota 
under the call of Dec. 1, 1864, for 300,000 men. Let us 
not, in this retrospect, forget the labors and untiring sym- 
pathy of the women of Foxborough. In the war archives of 
the Commonwealth is a letter dated April 19, 1861, — the very 
day when the streets of Baltimore drank the patriotic blood 
of Massachusetts — addressed to Gov. Andrew by Miss 
Frances Wight (now Mrs. Coggswell), of Foxborough, 
signed by one hundred young ladies of this place, ofi'ering 
their services as nurses, or to make soldiers' garments, to 
prepare bandages and lint, — to (ko anything for the cause in 
their power to do. Gov. Andrew replying, writes : " I ac- 
cept it as one of the most earnest and sincere of the count- 
less offers of devotion to our old Commonwealth, and to the 
cause of the country." He concludes by asking them to 
'■ help those who are left behind, and follow those who have 
gone before with your benedictions, your benefactions, and 
your prayers." The good work inaugurated by gentle and 
enthusiastic maidens was, with unabated zeal, carried forward 
by all our women to the end of the great war for the Union. 
In this connection we must not forget to mention those young 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 217 

ladies who went out from our midst to teach the freedmen, 
for they had battles to fight, which, if it did not cost them 
their lives, required sacrifices that proved both their patriot- 
ism and philanthropy. 

In an address of this character it were nigh impossible to 
mention all who were meritorious ; but I cannot forbear 
alluding to those most worthy and patriotic citizens, and 
faithful and true fi-iends of the soldier — William H. Thomas, 
Ezra Carpenter, Richard Carpenter, Edmund Carroll, and 
Robert Kerr — who have gone from among us; and, as we 
hallow the graves of our dead heroes, and erect monuments 
to their memories, let us not forget their faithful comrades 
in civil life who did valiant service for the cause for which 
they laid down their lives. In summing up "our record," I 
find that 55 men were furnished in 1861 for three years, 24 
for three years, and 45 for nine months, in 1862 ; in 1863-64, 
60 for three years, and 23 for one year — including ofiicers 
and men ; the whole number furnished w^as 276, being a sur- 
plus of 13 over the quota. The whole number of different 
men was 178 ; equivalent to 100 men each day of the war. 
Of these there were two majors, four captains, eleven 
lieutenants, thirteen sergeants, and eleven corporals, mak- 
ing 41 commissioned and non-commissioned ofiicers, and 
137 privates ; — 21 of this number died in battle or of 
disease. The amount expended by the town for bounties 
and enlistment expenses was $21,742.48. The amount 
of private subscriptions for bounties to volunteers was 
$7,008.33 ; — $1,001.13 w^ere spent for clothing and sup- 
plies for the soldiers, being for Company F at Fortress 
Munroe. Large contributions of clothing and supplies 
were sent through the Foxborough Relief Association, and 
the Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Money contri- 
butions in this behalf may be estimated at $500. The 
material interests of Foxborough declined slightly during 
the war. In 1860 our population was 2,879 ; in 1865 it 



218 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

was 2,769. In 18G0 our valuation was $1,287,735 ; in 1865, 
$1,284,524. 

Never shall avc forget the morning when the glorious news 
came that Gen. Lee's army had surrendered. It was a day 
of great rejoicing. The bells were rung ; the glorious Stars 
and Stripes were flung to the breeze, and saluted with cheers 
and tears, for men and women cried for joy, and thanked 
God for these glad tidings, that foretold peace and the re- 
turn of those that had led us to victory. A procession was 
formed, and marched, with stirring music, through the prin- 
cipal streets, and to the Toavu Hall, which was fllled. Prayer, 
earnest and fervent, was offered by Deacon Hewins, and 
some speaking was "in order;" but there are times when 
there is more eloquence in silence than in the best of oratory, 
and this seemed to be the time and occasion. 

The war over, the town, in common with almost all its sis- 
ter communities, began to consider its duty towards a fitting 
commemoration of the valor of its deceased soldiers, who 
went forth fnmi it and fell in the service of their country. 
March 10, 1866, it was voted to refer the article in the Avar- 
rant, in reference to a monument of the deceased soldiers, to 
a committee consisting of five, — E. P. Carpenter, AVm. Car- 
penter, Otis Gary, Wm. H. Thomas, and George T. Eyder, 
— who made an extended report, March 6, 1867, Avhich was 
ordered to be printed. The committee recommended the 
buildino: of a Memorial Hall as the most fittins: monument to 
the valor and patriotism of the dead, whilst it would be at 
the same time eminently useful to the living. March 16, 
1867, it was voted that the committee be instructed to pro- 
cure plans and estimates, in accordance with this report ; also, 
a plan for a monument, with estimates for cost of each, and 
to report on the same. There is, however, no question that 
the original report (to be found on the Town Records) sub- 
stantially settled the question, and secured the building of the 
useful and substantial structure that adorns our village, — the 



FOA'BOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 219 

Memorial Hdl. It was erected in 1868, at an expense of 
some $13,000, including town appropriations and subscrip- 
tions, or gifts made by individuals. It was dedicated on Fri- 
day, the Kth of June, with impressive ceremonies. Hon. 
Geo. B. Loring was the orator of the day, and made a most 
appropriate and eloquent address.* On account of a shower, 
the services were held in the Congregational church. 

Enough has been said to show that our busy little com- 
munity was not behind its sister towns in fervor of patriotism 
and self-sacrifice. As to our dead and lost, whose names 
our "roll of honor" bears, what matter where they fought or 
fell? They died all in the same great cause. " How many," 
cried our grand governor, — "how many of our noblest and 
bravest shall givetheir blood to the ransom of a subject race, 
the redemption of their country's peace, and the final security 
of her honor and integrity ! " 

"How can fleeting words of human praise give the record of 
theirglory ? Our eyes sufiused with tears, and the blood retreat- 
ing to the heart, stored with unwonted thrill, speak with the 
eloquence of Nature attired, but unexpressed — Hail, and fare- 
well ! Each hero must sleep securely on the field where he fell, 
in a cause sacred to liberty, and to the rights of mankind." 

As for us who survive those whose glory and death we so 
proudly mourn, 

" Let us, the living, rather dedicate ^ 

Ourselves to the unfinished work which they 
Thus far advanced so nobly on its w^y, 
And saved the perilled State. 
Let us upon this field, where they, the brave. 
Their last full measure of devotion gave, 
Highly resolve they have not died in vain ; 

That, under God, the nation's later birth 
Of freedom, and the people's gain 
Of their sovereignty shall never wane 

And perish from the circle of the earth ! " 



*It was published ia the " Norfolk County Gazette," a copy of which may be found 
in Boyden Public Library. 



220 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



ROLL-CALL OF FOXBOROUGH'S SOLDIERS. 
1861 TO 1865. 



Name. 
4th Kegiment, Co. F. 

David L. Shepard, C'ipt. 
Moses A. ^Richardson, \st Lieut 
Carlos A. Hart, Id Lieut. 
Wm. H. Torrey, Sergt. 
John F. Shepard, " 
John M. Welch, " 
Edward B. Bird, " 
Samuel D. Robinson, Corporal 
Lewis L. Bullard, " 

Frank 0. Pierce, " 

Lucius W. Allen. 
Charles D. Bacon. 
James S. Berais. 
Isaac H. Bonney. 
Samuel N. Bryant. 
Hiram F. Buck. 
James Carpenter. 
Gabriel P. Chamberlain. 
George IL Claflin. 
Henry A. Fales. 
William H. Fales. 
George M. Fillebrown. 
'Albert E. Forrest. 
Edward M. Freeman. 
Aloffzo W. Fuller. 
Joseph Gotleib. 
Moses L. Green. 
Ephraim 0. Grover. 
Pascal C. Grover. 
David T. Hartshorn. 
Edwin P. Jevvett. 
Joseph H. Joplin. 
AVilliam H. Lyons. 
Ransom Alatthews. 
William A. Morse. 
William H. Pierce. 
Charles H. Pond. 



Date of Muster. 

(Three months.) 
April 22, 18UL 

. April 22, " 

Aprir22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

. April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

May 22. " 

May 6, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

May 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

May C, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

May 22, " 

May 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 

April 22, " 



Remarks. 



July 22 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 
July 22 



1861 
18G1 
1801 
1861 
1861 
1801 
1801 
1801 
1801 
1801 
1861 
1861 
1801 
1801 
1801 
1801 
1801 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1801 
1861, 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1861 
1801 
1861 
1861 



E.K. of Service. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



221 



Name. 
James L. Sherman. 
William H. Sweet. 
Charles A. Thompson. 
Willard W. Turner. 
James White. 
Nelson S. White. 
Rufus S. White. 
Liscomb C. Winn. 
James A. Wyer. 



Date of Muster. 
April 22, 1861, 
May 6, " 
April 22, " 
April 22, " 
May 22, " 
May 22, " 
May 22, " 
May 22, " 
May 22, " 



Remarks. 
July 22, 1861, Ex. of Service. 
July 22, 1861, " " 
July 22, 1861, " 
July 22, 1861, " " 
July 22, 1861, " " 
July 22, 1861, " 
July 22, 1861, " " 
July 22, 1861, " 
July 22, 1861, " 



3d Battalion, Co. D. (Three 
George Draper. May 

4tli Regiineiit. (Nine months.) 



months.) 
19, 1861. 



Charles F. Howard, Major. 

4tli Regiment, Co. F. 

Charles F. Howard, Capt. 

Moses A. Richardson, 1*^ Lieut. Sept 

Isaac H. Bonney, 'Id Lieut. 

Joseph H. J*oplin, \st Seryt. 

Liscomb C. Winn, Sergt. 

Gabriel P. Chamberlain, Sergt 

Ephraim 0. Grover, Corp. 

Pascal C. Grover, " 

Charles B. Winn, " 

Charles T. Sumner, " 

George H. Grover, Musician. 

William M. Adams, " 

Joseph H. Alden. 

Warren B. Alden. 

Lewis W. Belcher. 

Isaac H. Bonney. 

Charles L. Boyden. 

Edwin J. Carroll. 

James S. Carver. 

George H. Copliston. 

William Day. 

Joseph H. Dow. 

Edwin Dunbar. 

Anson Fisher. 

E. Irving Fisher. 

George H. Fisher. 

Handel P. Fisher. 

Edward M. Freeman. 

George A. Mann. 

Cyrus B. Morse. 

Elbridgo F. Morse. 

Jarius J. Morse. 

William A. Morse. 



July 23, 1861, Discharged. 
Dec. 16, 1862. Aug. 28, 1863, Ex. of Service. 



(Nine 


months.) 










Sept. 


23, " 


Dec. 


6, 


1862, 


Maj. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Sept. 


23, 


1862, 


Resigned. 


Dec. 


27, " 


Aug. 


23, 


1863, 


Died at Indianapolis. 


Sept. 


23, " 


July 


14, 


1863, 


Died on Railroad. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, " 


May 


31, 


1863, 


Died at Brashaer City. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


<< u 


Sept. 


23, " 


Mar. 


6, 


1803, 


Died at Carrollton, La. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23. " 


Dec. 


8, 


1862, 


Discharged. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Dec. 


27, 


1862, 


2d Lieut. 


Oct. 


15, " 


July 


15, 


1863, 


Died at New Orleans. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


« 


Sept. 


26, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Sept. 


23, " 


June 


10, 


1863, 


Died at Brashaer City. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, 1862. 


Aug. 


28, 


1803, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


'" 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Oct. 


20, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


" " 


Sept. 


, 23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


11 (( 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1863, 


<( 11 


Sept. 


23, " 


May 


26, 


1863, 


Died at New Orleans. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


1803, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


23, " 


Aug. 


28, 


, 1803, 





222 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



N.ime. 
Joseph Myers. 
Charles A. Pettee. 
Charles D. Smith. 
Leonard Smith. 
Payson F. Smith. 
William A. Stevens. 
Henry C. Sumner. 
David A. Swift. 
Charles A. Thompson. 
George S. Thompson. 
John Ware. 

Preston 13. Whittemoro. 
James Wight. 
Ansel L. Willis. 

6tli Regiment, Co. 

Thomas S. Brigham. 
Timothy Brennan. 
Curtis S. Childs. 
Lewis E. Comey. 
Seth N. Kingsbury. 
William T. Wright. 

Gth Regiment, Co. 

Gardner A. Carpenter. 
Benjamin L. Dixon. 
John J. Dixon. 

Ttli Regiment; Co. 

Richard II. King. 
Stillman F. Morse. 
James Prime. 



Date of Muster. 

Sept. 23, 18C'2. 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Oct. 15, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, " 

Sept. 23, ■' 

Sept. 23, " 

B. (One hundred 
July 17, 18G4. 
July 17, " 
uly 17, " 
July 17, " 
July 17, " 
July 17, " 

K. (One hundred 
July 14, 18G4. 
July 14, " 
July 14, " 

H.* 

June 15, 1861. 
June 15, " 
June 15, " 



July 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 

days.) 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 

days.) 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 

Nov. 
Mar. 
Dec. 



Remarks. 
20, 18G3, Died at New Orleans. 
28, 1863, Ex. of Service. 
28, 1863, " " 
28, 1863, 
28, 1863, 
28, 1863, " 
13, 1863, Died on Railroad. 
28, 1863, Ex. of Service. 
28, 1863, 
28, 1863, 

28, 1863, " " 
28, 1863, 
28, 1863, " 
28, 1863, 

27, 1864, 

27, 1864, " " 

27, 1864, " " 

27, 1864, 

27, 1864, " " 

27, 1864, 

27, 1864, " " 

27, 1864, " 

27, 1864, " " 



12, 1861, Discharged. 
10, 1863, Died. 
3, 18G2, Discharged. 



Ttli Regiment, Co. I. 

Louis Ileckman. Juno 15, 1861. June 27, 1864, Ex. of Service. 

Otii Regiment, Co. B. 
Charles Lyons. June 11, 1861. Oct. 16, 1S62, Discharged. 

17tU Regiment, <o. II. 
John R. Nelson, Sergi. Dec. 25, 1863. July 11, 1865, Ex. of Service. 

IStli Regiment, Co. II. 
Alvin E. Hall, li^ Lieut. Aug. 20, 1861. July 9, 1862, Resigned. 

Chris. T. Hanly, " May 5,1863. Nov. 10, 1863, Discharged. 

Chris. T. Hanly, U Lieut. Dec. 25, 1862. May 5, 1863, 1st Lieut. 

ISth Regiment Band. 
Albert E. Forrest. Aug. 24, 1861. Aug. 11, 1862, Order War Dept. 



* Term of service of all Regiments and Batteries, not otherwise designated, was three 
years. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



223 



Name. 
18tli Regiment, Co. 

Christopher T. Hanly. 
George II Claflin, Corp. 
Wm. C. Grover, Musician. 
James S. Bemis. 
George H. Claflin. 
Amos L. Fuller. 
Nathan M. Grover. 
Moses E. Harding. 
Leander G. Thompson. 
Bzekiel J. Tulman. 

20tli Regiment, Co. » 

James Donahue. 
Patricli Slattely. 

30tli Regiment, Co. I' 

David Caine. 
Donald McGilvery. 

30tli Regiment, Co. I. 

Owen Murphy. 
Timothy Clifford. 
John Lynch. 
George Proctor. 

33cl Regiment, Co. K. 

Carlos A. Hart, Capt. 
John Littlefield, Ixt Lieut. 
James L. Sherman, " 
Joshua B. Bovpman, " 
Edward E. Bird, 2d " 
James L. Sherman, " 
Edward E. Bird, 1st Sergt. 
Lewis L. Bullard, " 
James A. Carpenter, " 
Thomas G. Pierce, Sergt. 
William H. Pierce, " 
Charles W. Stearns, " 
James A. Carpenter, Corp. 
Otis H. Horton, " 

James L. Sherman, " 
Hiram D. Sliinuer, " 
Benj. P. Slater, " 

Patrick Hanabury, Wagoner. 
Ezekiel Ames. 
Benjamin F. Belcher. 
Benjamin F. Belcher. 
Levi Bennett. 



D.ate of M 


uster. 






Remarks. 


Aug. 


24, 


1861. 


Dec. 


25, 


1862, 


2d Lieut. 


Jan. 


2, 


1864. 


Oct. 


21, 


1864, 


To 3 2dlnft. 


Aug. 


24, 


1861. 


Dec. 


30, 


1662, 


Discharged. 


Aug. 


24, 


" 


Feb. 


8, 


1863, 


" 


Aug. 


24, 


1861. 


Jan. 


1, 


1864, 


Reenlisted. 


Aug. 


24, 


" 


Dec. 


21, 


1862, 


Discharged. 


Aug. 


24, 


" 


Jan. 


4, 


1863, 


" 


Aug. 


24, 


" 


Oct. 


2, 


1862, 


" 


Aug. 


24, 


" 


Nov. 


29, 


1862, 


" 


Aug. 


24, 


" 


Nov. 


22, 


1861, 


Died. 


Aug. 


9> 


1862. 


Dec. 


11, 


1862, 


Killed at Fred 


Aug. 


9, 


" 


Jan. 


15, 


1863, 


Discharged. 


July 


22, 


1861. 


Oct. 


23, 


1861, 


Died of AVound 


Aug. 


9, 


1862. 


Sept. 


IT, 


1862, 


Discharged. 


Aug. 


9, 


1862. 


Aug. 


1, 


1864, 


Ex. of Service. 


Feb. 


26, 


1864. 


Feb. 


28, 


1864, 


Rejected. 


Aug. 


9, 


1862. 










Mar. 


3, 


1864. 


Mar. 


S, 


1864, 


Rejected. 


Oct. 


11, 


1861. 


Oct. 


13, 


1861, 


Ex. of Service. 


Oct. 


11, 


" 


May 


4, 


, 1862, 


, Resigned. 


May 


3, 


1803. 


Oct. 


13, 


1864, 


Ex. of Service. 


Oct. 


14, 


1804. 


June 


25, 


, 1865, 


, " 


Nov. 


3, 


1862. 


May 


23, 


1864, 


Resigned. 


Nov. 


18, 


" 


May 


3, 


1863, 


1st Lieut. 


Sept. 


28, 


1861. 


Nov. 


2, 


, 1863, 


, 2d " 


Sept. 


28, 


," 


Sept. 


30 


, 1862, 


, Discharged. 


Dec. 


3, 


1863. 


June 


25, 


1865, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


28, 


1861. 


Aug. 


1, 


, 1862, 


1 Discharged. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


July 


10; 


, 1863^ 


, 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Oct. 


13, 


1864, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Dec. 


2, 


1863, 


To Reenlist. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Mar. 


26, 


, 1863, 


, Discharged. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Aug. 


20, 


, 1862, 


, Sergt. -Major. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Oct. 


13, 


1864, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Mar. 


14, 


, 1862, 


, Discharged. 


Mar. 


29, 


1864. 


June 


25, 


,1865, 


, Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


28, 


1861. 


July 


11, 


, 1862, 


, Discharged. 


Sept. 


28, 


" 


Dec. 


2, 


1863, 


To Reenlist. 


Dec. 


3, 


1863. 


June 


25, 


1865, 


Ex. of Service. 


Sept. 


28, 


1861 


Dec. 


2, 


1863, 


To Reenlist. 



224 



FOXBOROUGn CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



Name. Date of Muster. 

Levi Bennett. Dec. 3, 1863. 

Joseph Brighara. Sept. 28, 1861. 

Hiram S. Buck. Sept. 28, " 

Thomas Carpenter. Sept. 28, " 

Samuel C. Chestnut. Oct. 27, " 

William H. Pales. Sept. 28, " 

David Flahaven. Sept. 28, " 

David Flahaven. Deo. 3, 1863. 

Joseph Gay. Aug. 25, 1864. 

Patrick llanabury. Sept. 28, 1861. 

William D. Higgins. Sept. 28, " 

Allen P. Lake. Oct. 30, " 

John Mahoney. Sept. 28, " 

Oliver Prime. Sept. 28, " 

Edward Richardson. Sept. 28, " 

Hiram A. Snow. Dec. 3, 1863. 

Franklin E. Taylor. Sept. 28, 1861. 

Joshua Taylor. Sept. 2S, " 

Charles A. Whipple. Oct. 12, " 

George W. Williams, Jr. Sept. 28, " 

Micajah B. Alley. Aug. 25, 1864. 

24tli Regiment, Co. A. 

John M. Welch, Sergt. Sept. 4, 1861. 

Henry J. Barrows. Aug. 13, 1862. 

Wm. R. Goldsmith. Aug. 13, " 

Patrick Roche. Sept. 27, 1861. 

David Scott. Aug. 13, 1862. 

John H. Sumner. Aug, 13, " 

Wm. II. Torrey. Nov. 30, 1861. 

24tli Regiment, Co. O. 

Joseph Jewett. 

SS4tIi Regiment, Co 

George F. Wallace, Corp. 

aotli Regiment. 

Isaac Smith, Jr., Ass^t Surgeon. Dec. 

28tli Regiment, Co. I>. 

Andrew K. Grady, Wagoner. 

28th Regiment, Co. 
Peter Leighton. 
Joseph Murray. 

20tli Regiment, Co. 
Joseph Boyden, Xat Sergt. 
Joseph Boyden. 

SOtii Regiment, Co. <■. 

Henry B. Titus, Sergt. 



Remarks. 
June 25, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
June 25, 1862, Discharged. 
Sept. 11, 1862, 

Oct. 13, 1864, Ex. of Service. 
Feb. 21, 1863, Discharged. 
Mar. 26, 1863, " 

Dec. 2, 1863, To Reenlist. 
June 25, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
June 25, 1865, " " 
Mar. 28, 1864, To Reenlist. 
Oct. 13, 1864, Ex. of Service. 
Oct. 13, 1864, 
Oct. 13, 1864, " 
Mar. 13, 1863, Discharged. 
Oct. 13, 1864, Ex. of Service. 
May 16, 1864, Missing. 
Feb. 16, 1863, Discharged. 
Oct. 13, 1864, Ex. of Service. 
May 5, 1862, Died at Newburn. 
June 21, 1862, Discharged. 
Oct. 27, 1864, Rejected. 

Mar. 26, 1863, Discharged. 

Oct. 16, 1862, Died at Newburn. 

Dec. 4, 1864, Ex. of Service. 

Mar. 12, 1864, "Veteran Reserve Corps. 

Dec. 4, 1864, Ex. of Service. 

Dec. 4, 1864, 

June 8, 1803, 1st Lieut. 

Sept. 5, 1861. Sept. 5, 1864, To Reenlist. 
Jan. 2, 1864. Jan. 20, 1866, Ex. of Service. 
1862. Nov. 7, 1864, " " 

Dec. 13, 1861. Dec. 19, 1864, " 

Mar. 29, 1864. Aug. 16, 1864, Missing. 
Mar. 17, " Sept. 13, 1864, Discharged. 

Jan. 2, 1864. July 29, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
Dec. 31, 1861. Jan. 1, 1864, To Reenlist. 

Jan. 2, 1864. Juno 28, 1865, Discharged. 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



225 



Name. Date of Muster. 

30th Regiment, Co. 'E,. 

Theodore R. Sldniier, iV/«s!Cj(!n. Nov, 5, 1861. 

33d Iteginient, Co. I>. 

George H. Claflin, Corp. Jan. 4, 18G4. 

33d Regiineut, Co. C. 

Alfred L. Morse. Aug. C, 18G2. 

Ira C. Saylcs. Aug. G, " 

35tli. Regiment, Co. C. 

Alonzo W. Fuller. Aug. 19, 18G2. 

38tli Regiment, Co. I. 

James Nelson. Aug. 21, 18G2. 

William Rich. Aug. 24, " 

40th Regiment, Co. F. 

Edniond Burke. Sept. 3, 18G2. 

47tli Regiment, Co. C. (Nine months 
Bernard E. Backer, 2d Lieut. Feb. 2, 1863. 
Bernard E. Backer, Serrjt. Sept. 23, " 

54tU Regiment, Co. F. 

Henry James. Dec. 18,1863. 

55tli Regiment, Co. F. 

Wm. H. Torrey, Capt. Feb. 7, 1864. 

Wm. H. Torrey, Ut Lieut. June 19, 1863. 

Wm. H. Torrey, 2d " Juno 17, " 



Remarks. 
Feb. 12, 1864, To Reenlist. 

June 29, 1865, E.y. of Service. 

May 27, 1865, Order AYar Dept. 
Aug. 13, 18G2, Deserted. 

Feb. 28, 1863, Discharged. 

June 30, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
Juno 30, 1865, " " 

Mar. 15, 1863, Veteran Reserve Corps, 

) 

Sept. 1, 1863, Ex. of Service. 
Feb. 2, 1862, 2d Lieut. 

Aug. 20, 1865, Ex. of Service. 

July 7, 1865, Resigned. 
Feb. 7, 1864, Captain. 
June 19, 1863, 1st Lieut. 



SGth Regiment. 

Fred D. Forrest, Capt. 

56tU Regiment, Co. C. 

George Eaton. Mar. 10, 1864. 

56tli Regiment, Co. D. 

Jeremiah E. Earle, Serjt. Dec. 29, 1863. 

Leander Clapp, Corp. Dec. 29, " 

Patrick M.Driscoll. Dec. 29, " 

Daniel Mahoney. Dec. 29, " 

56tli Regiment, Co. K. 

Otis Deane. Jan. 12, 1864. 

Comfort 0. Fisher. Jan. 12, " 

Edward E. Place. Jan. 12, " 

5Gtli Regiment, Co. F. 

George E. Bird. Jan. 12, 1864. 

Eliphalet S. Wilson. Jan. 12, " 

56tli Regiment, Co. IC. 

Edwin P. Jewett, Ut Serrjt. Feb. 25, 18G4. 
Liscomb C. Winn, " Feb. 25, " 

58tli Regiment, Co. G. 

Joseph Mcrritt. Mar. 26, 1864. 



Dec. 4, 1863. Commission Revoked. 

June 19, 1865, Order War Dept. 

July 12, 18G5, Ex. of Service. 
May 6, 1864, Killed, Wilderness, Va. 
Jan., 1864, Deserted. 
Feb. 23, 1864, Died. 

June 15, 1865, Order Gen. Park. 
Dec. 30, 1864, Order Gen. Auger. 
June 30, 1865, Order War Dept. 

July 14, 1865, Order War Dept. 
July 12, 1865, " " " 

Sept. 1, 1864, Promotion. 
July 12, 1865, Ex. of Service. 

Oct. 1, 1864, Deserted. 



226 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



Name. 
18th TTnattached Co. 

Wm. F. Boyd, Sergt. 
Ethan A. Cubb, " 
George A. Brock. 
Herbert E. Cobb. 
Willis S. Cook. 
Samuel H. Gooch. 
Cephas P. Grover. 
Lewis. F. Holmes. 
Theodore H. Hunniwell. 
Thomas J. Kennedy. 
Zeri B. Martis. 
Gyrus B. Morse. 
Stillman F. Willis. 



Date of Muster. 
(One year.) 
Dec. 7, 18C4. 



Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Deo. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Deo. 
Dec. 
Dec. 



Remarks. 

May 12, 18G5, Ex. of Service. 

April 11, 1865, 2d Lieut. 

May 12, 1865, E.\. of Service. 

May 12, 1865, " " 

May 12, 1865, " 

May 12, 1865, '« " 

May 12, 1865, " " 

May 12, 1865, 

May 12, 1865, " " 

May 12, 1865, 

May 12, 1865, " " 

May 12, 1865, " 

May 12, 1865, " 



20th Unattaclied Co. (One hundred days.) 



Jarius J. Morse, Corp. 
E. Irving Fisher. 
Edward Matthews. 
William A. Morse. 

12tli Battery. 
Andrew W. Martin, Corp. 

13tl» Battery. 
Patrick Curtin, Corp. 
Michael A. McCostello. 

14tli Battery. 
Williams Leonard, Artificer. 
George Leonard. 

lOtli Battery. 
Wm. Hilliard. 
Martin Shea. 
.John Smith. 

Ist Cavalry. 

George M. Fillebrown, 2d Lieut, 
George 1\L Fillebrown, IstLieut. 

Ist Cavalry, Co. B. 
George M. Fillehvown, Com. Sgt. 
Herbert F. Dean. 
George M. Washburn. 

1st Cavalry, Co. H. 
Allen F. Belcher, 1st Sergt. 
Horace E. Dupee, Com, Sergt, 
Charles D. Bacon, Sergt, 
Newton W. Bacon. 
Charles H. Pond. 

aa Cavalry, Co. D. 
Geo. H. Sanford. 



Aug. 11, 1864. Nov. 18, 1864, Ex. of Service. 

Aug. 11, " Nov. 18, 1864, " 

Aug. 11, " Nov. 18, 1864, " " 

Aug. 11, " Nov. 18, 1864, " 

Mar. 29, 1864. July 25, 1865, Ex. of Service. 



Jan. 27, 1863. 
Mar. 30, 1864. 

Feb. 27, 1864. 
Feb. 27, " 

July 28, 1864. 
Mar. 11, " 
July 28, " 

Oct. 30, 1862. 
May 12, 1863. 

Sept. 17, 1861. 
Sept. 14, 1861. 
Sept. 17, " 

Sept. 23, 1861. 
Sept. 25, " 
Dec. 4, " 
Oct. 19, " 
Sept. 19, " 



July 28, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
July 28, 1865, " " 

June 15, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
June 15, 1865, " . " 

Aug. 1, 1864, Deserted. 
June 27, 1865, Ex. of Service. 
Aug. 1, 1864, Deserted. 

May 12, 1863, 1st Lieut. 
Jan. 25, 1864. 

Oct. 30, 1862, 2d Lieut. 
April 4, 1864, Promotion. 
Nov. 17, 1864, Ex. of Service. 

Transferred to Co. K, 4th Cavalry 



Feb. 26, 1864. July 20, 18G5, Ex. of Service. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



227 



Name. 
* Sd Cavalry, Co. F. 

Lawrence Dvvyer. 

3d Cavalry, Co. B. 

Patrick Kelcher. 
4tli Cavalry. 

Allen F. Belcher, 1st Lieut. 
Allen F. Belcher, 2d Lieut. 
Allen F. Belcher, Com. Sergt. 

4tli Cavalry, Co. K. 

Allen F. Belcher, \st Sergt. 
Allen F. Belcher, " 
Horace E. Dupee, Com. Sergt. 
Charles D Bacon, Sergt, 
Horace E. Dupee, " 
Newton W. Bacon. 
Charles H. Pond. 

4tU Cavalry, Co. Li. 
Richard H. King, Blacksmith. 

V. R. C. 
James R. Albion. 
Myrom Ames. 
Edward H. Bowker. 
John Devlin. 
Francis J. Flanigan. 
William Greenlough. 
David Haugh. 
Dwight N. Hill. 
Benj. F. Jones. 
Samuel Keller. 
John Kirchen. 
August Kinttle. 
August Krun. 
Alvah S. Langley. 
Michael McCarthy. 
Donald McDonald. 
George McDoner. 
Michael McNamara. 
Bernard MuUins. 
John Phillips. 
Wm. H. Pierce. 
John Rooney. 
James E. Smith. 
Leander G. Thompson. 
Francis Traynor. 
George Vandergrist. 
Thomas H. Walters. 
John White. 



Date cf Muster. 
Mar. 15, 1864. 



Remarks. ; 
July 20, 1865, Ex. of Service. 



Feb. 27, 1864. Dec. 15, 1865, Dishonorably Dis. 

Feb. 1, 1865; Feb. 20, 1865, Resigned Brevet Capt. 

July 27, 1864. Feb. 1, 1865, 1st Lieut. 

Jan. 1, 1864. July 27, 1864,' 2d Lieut. 

Sept. 23, 1861. Dec. 31, 1863, To Reenlist. 

Jan. 1, 1864. June 6, 1864, Com. Sergt. 

Apr. 21, 1864. Nov. 14, 1865, Ex. of Service. 

Dec. 4, 1861. Dec. 3, 1864, " 

Sept. 25, " Apr. 20, 1864, To Reenlist. 

Oct. 19, " Oct, 16, 1864, Ex. of Service. 

Sept. 19, " Sept. 24, 1864, " " 

Feb. 18. 1864. Nov. 14, 1864, " « 



Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Apr. 
Apr. 
Apr. 
Apr. 
Aug. 
Jan. 
Apr. 
Apr. 
May 
July 
Aug. 
July 
Apr. 
Apr. 
Apr. 
July 
July 
Aug. 
Apr. 
July 
Aug. 
Apr. 
Aug. 
July 
Aug. 



8, 1864. 

15, " 

19, " 

14, " 

15, " 
15, " 
14, " 
29, " 

10, 1865. 
14, 1864. 
14, 1864. 

11, " 

28, " 

13, " 

29, " 

14, " 

20, " 
14, " 

21, " 

30, " 

31, " 
20, " 

28, " 

29, " 
14, " 
13, " 
28, " 
13, " 



Nov. 14, 1865, Order of War Dept. 



Nov. 16, 1865, Order of War Dept. 



228 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



Name. 
Reg^tlar Army 

John L'uchinullcr. 
Robt. W. Graham. 
John Ilogan. 
Frederick \V. Kent. 
Joseph McGiiiley. 
John Montague. 
Wesley H. Sherwood. 
Elijah Spencer. 
Robert Wallock. 
Henry Karch. 
AVilliam F. McAlliston. 



Date of Muster. 

July 18, 1864. 

Mar. 30, " 

July 21, " 

July 18, " 

Apr. 8, " 

July 30, " 

Apr. 11, " 

July 18, " 

Apr. 13, " 

July 30, " 

July 30, " 



FOXBOROUGH SOLDIERS CREDITED TO QUOTAS OP OTHER TOWNS. 



Ttli Kegimeut, Co. H. 

George S. Cook. 
Charles D. Richardson. 
Win. F. Frazer, Musician. 

7tU Regiment, Co. I. 

Wm. A. Richardson. 

24th Regiment, Co. A. 

Nelson S. White. 

56tli Regiment, Co. A, 

Christopher Martyn. 

56th Regiment, Co. F. 

George H. Hartshorn. 

{}6th Regiment, Co. G. 

Leander Clapp. 

5Gth Regiment, Co. H. 

George F. Ilogle. 
Isaac Skinner. 



Juno 15, 18G1. Juno 27, 1864, Ex of Service. 

June 15, " Jan. IG, 1863, Disability. 
June 15, " Sept. 1, 1863, V. R. C. 

June 15, 1861. Feb. 4, 1863, Died, Washington. 

Dec. 5, 1861. Dec. 22, 1863, Promoted. 

Deo. 29, 1863. — 1864, Order War Dept. 

Jan. 12,1864. July 12, 1865, Close of War. 

Dec. 29, 1863. May 13, 1864, Killed in Battle, 

Jan. 27, 1864. July 26, 1864, Disability. 

Dec. 19, 1863. Dec. 19, 1863, Rejected. 



1st 9Ias8. Heavy Artillery. 



Uriah S. Kinj 



Mar. 20, 1862. Oct. 29. 1864, Died in Georgia. 



Oth Maine Regiment, Co. B. 

Wm. B. Grover. Oct. 20, 1862. Sept. 12, 1863, Medical Cadet. 

3d Regiment R. I. Heavy Artillery, Co. M. 

Charles Bcal, Corporal, Jan. 1, 1863. Aug. 30, 1863, Wounded. 

Charles Bcal. Mar. 17, 1862. Jan. 1, 1863, Promoted. 



Oth R.I. Battery. 

Wm. C. Winsluw. 



Aug. 15, 1862. Feb. 20, 1865, Disability. 



ILiincoln Guards, 2d D. C. Regiment, Co. G. 

John E. Belcher. Jan. 13,1862. Jiin. 13, 1865, Ex. of Service. 

Joel A. Belcher. Jan. 13, " Jan. 13,1865, 

Joseph W. Belcher. Jan. 27, " Feb. 2, 1865, " " 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



229 



Name. Date of Muster. Remarks. 

33d Kegiinent, U. S. Colored Troops. 

Nelson S. White, Capt. Nov. 12, 1865. Jan. 31, 18G6, E.k. of Service. 

Nelson S. White, \st. Lieut. Oct. 7, " Nov. 12, 18G5, Promoted. 
Nelson S. White, 2d Lieut. Dec. 22, 18C3. Oct. 7, " Promoted. 



SOLDIERS CREDITED TO FOXBOROUGH'S QUOTA, BUT SERVED IN REGI- 
MENTS OTHER THAN MASSACHUSETTS. 



Thomas Carr, 
James C.avaglin, 
Emery Eighart, 
Frederick Hill, 



Henry Cleveland. 
Isaac B. Beal. 



Charles McGinnis, 
William Quinn, 
Patrick Randolph, 
Henry Williams. 



U. S. NAVY. 
May G, 1861. Mar. 24, 1863, Ex. of Service. 



THE MEMORIAL TABLETS. 
At the right of the entrance to Memorial Hall is a marble tablet, 
with medallion of flint-lock musket, powder-horn, and cartridge- 
box in relief, inscribed as follows : — 



PATRIOTS 



Seth Bo^yden, 
Samuel Billings, 
Jacob Billings, 
Ezra Carpenter, 
John Carpenter, 
Oliver Come}', 
Spencer Comey, 
John N. Everett, 
Ebenezer Forrest, 
Samuel Forrest, 
Elias Guild, 
Jabez Grover, 



OF 1776. 
Thomas Hartshorn, 
Zadoc Howe, 
Jesse Hartshorn, 
Jeremiah Hartshorn, 
Cornelius Morse, 
Timoth}' Morse, 
Oliver Pettee, 
Abijah Pratt, 
John Sumner, 
Wm. Sumner, 
Daniel Salley, 
Thomas Clapp. 



SOLDIERS OF 1812. 



Alexander Boyden, 
Dudley Billings, 
Comfort Belcher, 



Bowdoin Brastow, 
Bela Bacon, 
Alpheus Bird, 



230 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



Daniels Carpenter, 
Francis Carpenter, 
David Capen, 
WiUard Ciiilds, 
Peleg Diirfee, 
David Davis, 
Daniel P^verett, 
Charles Faxon, 
Jabez Fales, 
Freedom Guild, 
F'isher Hartshorn , 
John Hewes, 
Elkanah Hodges, 
Otis Hodges, 
Henry Hobart, 
David N. Hall, 



Timoth}' Morse, 
Asa Plimpton, 
Elijah Plimpton, 
Martin Pettee, 
Oliver. Pettee, 
James Plimpton, 
James Paine, 
Stephen Rhoades, Jr., 
Loring C. Shaw, 
E. Holmes Sherman, 
Robert Shepard, 
Martin Torrej', 
Asa White, 
Amos White, 
James Wilber, 
Isaac Winslow. 



It is also known that Elisha Morse, a resident upon what is 
now Foxborough territory, served in the French and Indian War, 
in 1747. Capt. Josiah Pratt and Capt. Eleazer Robbins, after- 
wards citizens of this town, commanded two of the nine com- 
panies that left Stoughton, April 19, 1775, upon the Lexington 
alarm. Uriah Atherton, Nehemiah Carpenter, Jr., and Dominic 
Dassance were also in the Continental arm}', either as militia or 
volunteers. Stephen Boyden and Asa Bo^'den were also soldiers 
of 1812 ; it is probable that still other names are omitted from tlie 
tablets in Memorial Hall. 

Upon the opposite side of the door-wa}' is inscribed the — 



ROLL OF HONOR. 
1861-1865. 



Maj. Charles F. Howard, 

Capt. David L. Shepard, 

" Carlos A. Hart, 

" Wm. II. Torrey, 

" Nelson S. White, 



Lieut. Allen F. Belcher, 
'• James L. Sherman, 
" Christopher T. Hanley, 

Bernard P2. Backer, 
'^ Moses A. Ricliardson, 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



231 



Lieut. John Littlefield, 

* George M. Fillebrown, 
' Alvin E. Hall, 
' Isaac H. Bonne^-, 
' Edwin P. Jewett, 
' Edward E. Bird, 

Sergt. Joseph H. Joplin, 
John F. Shepard, 
John M. Welch, 
Lewis L. Bullard, 
Win. H. Pierce, 
Charles W. Stearns, 
Horace E. Dnpee, 
Joshua B. Bowman, 
Andrew N. Grady, 
Joseph Boy den, 
Thomas G. Pierce, 
Gabriel P. Chamberlain, 
Liscomb C. Winn, 

Corp. Samuel D. Robinson, 
Frank O. Pierce, 
Otis H. Horton, 
James A. Carpenter, 
Wm. H. Fales, 
Benjamin P. Slater, 
George H. Claflin, 
George S. Cook, 
Pascal C. Grover, 
Ephraim O. Grover, 
Charles B. Winn, 

Ezekial Ames, 

Joseph H. Alden, 

Wm. M. Adams, 

Henry A. Alexander, 

Hiram S. Buck, 

Charles D. Bacon, 

Benj. F. Belcher, 

Levi Bennett, — 

Joseph Brigham, 

James S. Bemis, 



Samuel N. Bryant, 
Newton W. Bacon, 
Henry J. Barrows, 
John E. Belcher, 
Joel A. Belcher, 
Joseph W. Belcher, 
Charles Beal, 
Isaac B. Beal, 
Lewis W. Belcher, 
Charles L. Boy den, 
George E. Bird, 
Wm. F. Boyd, 
Timothy Brennan, 
Thomas S. Brigham, 
Samuel Chestnut, 
Thomas Carpenter, 
Henry Cleveland, 
James S. Carver, 
Edwin J. Carroll, 
Geo. S. Coppleston, 
Patrick Curtin, 
Leander Clapp, 
Gardner A. Carpenter, 
Curtis Childs, 
Edgar L. Comey, 
Joseph H. Dow, 
Wm. Day, 
Edwin Dunbar, 
Otis Dean, 
John J. Dixon, 
Benj. L. Dixon, 
Herbert F. Dean, 
Jeremiah E. Earl, 
George Eaton, 
Amos L. Fuller, 
Alonzo W. Fuller, 
Albert E. Forrest, 
Edward M. Freeman, 
Wm. F. Frazer, 
Handel P. Fisher, 



232 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



E. Irving Fisher, 
Anson Fisher, 
David Flavahan, 
Comfort O. Fisher, 
Joseph Gotlieb, 
Wm. C. G rover, 
Natlian M. Grover, 
Wm. R. Goldsmith, 
George H. Grover, 
Wm. B. Grover, 
Joseph Ga>', 
Cephas P. Grover, 
David T. Hartshorn, 
Patrick Heuneberry, 
Wm. D. Higgins, 
Moses E. Harding, 
Lewis Heckman, 
George H. Hartshorn, 
Henr^- James, 
Joseph Jewett, 
Benj. F. Jones, 
Uriah S. King, 
Richard H. King, 
Seth N. Kingsbur}', 
Allen P. Lake, 
Charles Lyons, 
Bartlett P. Luce, 
Wm. H. Lyons, 
Williams Leonard, 
George Leonard, 
Alfred L. Morse, 
Stillman F. Morse, 
Ransom Matthews, 
Jolin Mahoney, 
Wm. A. Morse, 
Joseph Myers, 
Owen Mnrph}', 
Elbridge F. Morse, 
Cyrus B. Morse, 
Jairus J. Morse, 



Daniel Mahone}', 
George A. Mann, 
Zeri B. Martis, 
James Nelson, 
Charles H. Pond, 
Oliver Prime, 
James Prime, 
Charles A, Pettee, 
Edward E. Place, 
Edward Richardson, 
Wm. Rich, 

Charles B. Richardson, 
Patrick Roche, 
Wm. A. Richardson, 
Wm. H. Sweet, 
Hiram D. Skinner, 
Theodore R. Skinner, 
David Scott, 
John H. Sumner, 
Wm. A. Stevens, 
Leonard Smith, 
Charles D. Smith, 
David A. Swift, 
Henrj' C. Sumner, 
Payson F. Smith, 
Charles T. Sumner, 
Hiram A. Snow, 
Martin Shea, 
Joshua Ta3ior, 
Franklin E. Ta^'lor, 
Charles A. Thompson, 
WiUard W. Turner, 
Leander G. Thompson, 
ICzekiel J. Tolman, 
George S. Thompson, 
George INL Washburn, 
George W. AVilliams, Ji\, 
Charles A. Whipple, 
James Wight, 
Charles Whipple, 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



233 



Rufiis S. White, 
Wm. Winslow, 
Ansel L. Willis, 
John Ware, 



Preston B. Whittemore, 

Stillman F. Willis, 

Wm. T. Wright, 

Isaac Smith, Jr., Asst. Surgeon. 



OUR HONORED DEAD. 
Names inscribed on marble tablet opposite entrance in Memo- 
rial Hall, snrmonnted by medallion representing arms encircled 
by wreath. 



Rcgt. Co. 

4th, F, Lieut. Isaac H. Bonney, 

4th, F, Sergt. Joseph H. Joplin, 

4th, F, Sergt. Gabriel P. Chamberlain, 

18th, I, Ezekiel J. Tolman, 

23d, K, Charles A. Whipple, 

24th, A, Henr}' J. Barrows, 

7th, H, Charles D. Richardson, 

7th, I, William A. Richardson, 

4th, F, William M. Adams, 

7th, H, Stillman F. Morse, 

4th, F, Elbridge F. Morse, 

4th, F, William Day, 

4th, F, Charles L. Boj'den, 

4th, F, Joseph Myers, 

4th, F, Henr}' C. Sumner, 

4th, F, Edwin J. Carroll, 

56th, K, Daniel Mahone}', 

.5Gth, G, Leander Clapp, 

18th, I, Amos L. Fuller, 

23d, K, Hiram A. Snow, 

1st Heavy Art'l'y, Uriah S. King, 



Date of Death. 

Ang. 23, 1863. 
July 14, 1863. 
May 31, 1863. 
Nov. 22, 1861. 

May 5, 1862. 

Oct. 7, 1862. 
Jan. 20, 1863. 

Feb. 4, 1863. 

March 6, 1863. 

March 10, 1863. 

May 26, 1863. 

June 10, 1863. 

July 15, 1863. 

July 20, 1863. 

Aug. 13, 1863. 

Aug. 31, 1863. 

Feb. 23, 1863. 

May 13, 1864. 

Aug. 10, 1864. 

1864. 

Oct. 29, 1864. 



VETERANS OF THE WAR. 



ORGAI7IZED JUXE 17, 1878. 



Henry C. Lindley, Capt., 
James S. Carver, 1st Lieut., 
David Scott, 2d Lieut., 
Thomas B. Bourne, Ord. Sergt., 



Joseph H. Dow, 2d Sergt., 
Horace B. Hartshorn, Drummer, 
Henry A. Alexander, 
Cyrus B. Morse, 



234 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



Jabez B. Davidson, 
Seth Talbot, 
Win. H. Kempton, 
Dennis Lovett, 
Elbridge Alexander, 
Roj'al J. Packard, 
L. Edgar Comey, 
Joseph H. Aklen, 
Abijah M. Morse, 
Dennis F. McCart}', 
Thomas Brigham, 
John Ferguson, 
John Wright, 
Samuel C. Bourne, 
Leander G. Thompson, 
A. L. Bundy, 
Samuel C. Chestnut, 
Wm. T. Wright, 
Fred Whitne}*, 
Edwin P. Jewett, 
Timothy Howe, 



Wm. R. Reed, 
Thomas Carpenter, 
Allison Cobb, 
Wm. Moorhouse, 
Sumner Wetherell, 
Harrison Dot^', 
David Flahaven, 
James Blanchard, 
Patrick Curtin, 
Charles A. Thompson, 
Jolin Higgins, 
Charles D. Smith, 
Henr}' C. Folsom, 
Ansel Willis, 
Caleb Josselyn, 
V. F. Grover, 
Curtis Childs, 
Oliver Prime, 
John Jackson, 
Dexter In man, 
John A. Davis. 



The following records are taken from a book in the posses- 
sion of Mr. A. J. Boyden, upon the first page of which is 
written, " Militia Book for the use of the Company in Fox- 
borough, 1790": — 

Agreeable to an act of Congress, the 9"" of Ma}', 1794, A de- 
teachment of Eight}* Thousand Men be raised, and this states pro- 
potion is 11885, oficers included, and the 4th Rigaments pro- 
potion is 97, oficers included, and the foot Compan}' in Fox- 
borough propotion is one Subbolton, one Serjent, and Sixteen 
Privates, which ware deteached and Returned the 8 daj- of Jul}-, in 
y® 1794, and wai-e ordered to be acquipt and hold themselves in 
Readiness to march at a Minutes warning, if called for, and to 
serve three months after Tliey arrive at the place of Rendezvous, 
if not sooner discharged. 



FOXDOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 235 

Mens Names that were deteached and Returned : — 
Sergent, Asa Paine. 

Rank and File. 

Jacob Billings, Joseph Bradshaw, 

■ Samuel H. Everett, Lemuel Wight, Jun% 

Richard Everett, Asa Robinson, 

Zippa Swift, Elkonah Clark, 

Job Shearman, Jun"", Cyrenius Pettee, 

John Shearman, Oliver Morse, 

Jason Belcher, Elias Guild, 

Philips Payson, John Sumner, Jun^ 

Agreeable to an Act of Congress, the 24 of June, y^ 1797, A de- 
teachment of Eighty Thousand men, to be Raised and Rurnd, 
Armed and Equipt as the Law directs, and Hold themselves in 
Readyness to march at a minutes warning, if called for, and Serve 
the Term of three months after the}^ arrive at the place of Rendez- 
vous, unless sooner discharged. 

This states proportion of the above 80,000 is 11,836, including 
oficers, the second brigade, first devisions, propotion is 348, 

The 4"" Rigament 2*^ Brigades propotion is 89, oficers included, 
and the foot Company in Foxborough propotion. Two Commitiond 
officers, one serjent, fourteen privates. 

The names of the men that ware deteacht and Returnd, Oct. 12, 
y^ 1797, and ware holden to stand in Readiness from that time for 
the Space of one 3'ear, and after that untill the Eand of the, next 
sessions of Congress, and No longer. 

Serjent ., Benjamin Comee. 

Privates. 

Francis Jones, Oliver Morse, 

Elisha Wilbur, Lemu-el Paine, 

Obadiah Shearman, John N. Miller, 
Asa Robinson. 



236 FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

Rank and File. 
David Capen, Elias Guild, 

Joel INIorse, Jim'", Asa Shaw, 

Asa Wliitc, Leonard White, 

James Dr.iiiels. 

N. B. — The time mentioned in the orders for the above named men to 
Hold themselves in Headyness is expired the 3 of March, 1799, and they are 
discharged by order of the Commander-in-chief. Foxborough, May 3, y« 1799. 

The President of the United States, pursuant to an Act of Con- 
gress of the 10"' of April, 1812, having required of the Commander- 
in-chief to take Effectual Measures for having 10,000 of the Militia 
of Massachusetts, Detached & Dul}' Organized In companies, 
Battallions, Regiments, Brigades, and Divisions. And the Second 
Regiment, 2"* Brigade, and 1 Div. Proportion is 45, officers In- 
cluded, And the Company of foot, commanded by Capt. Metcalf 
Everett, has Detached 1 serg. and 6 Privates, it being her Propor- 
tion of the above number. 

Mens Names that t^-ere Detached and Returned from Capt. M. 
Everett's Compan}- : — 

Serif t, Oliver Capen. 

Privates. 

Isaiah Morse, Isaac Shepard. 

Jairus P. Morse, Spencer Leonard, 

John Morse, 2d, Oakes Copeland. 

Copy of A Detachment made from Capt. Metcalf Everett's Company, July 
2Gth, 1814, viz. : — 

Samuel Peck, | Privates. 

Hauteord Leonard, J 

Copy of A Detachment made from Capt. Metcalf Everett's Company, Sept. 
20th, 1814. 



SLOW, "I 
llRD, >. 
)X, J 



Isaac Winslow, 

Alpheus Bird, \- Privates. 

Wm. VlNSOJ 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 237 

STATISTICS. 

Area, according to survey by J. M. Everett, Esq., 1850, 
12,806 acres. Population, 1790, 640; 1800, 779; 1810, 
870; 1820, 1,004; 1830, 1,166; 1836, 1,41.6; 1840, 1,294; 
1850, 1,978; 1855, 2,570; 1860, 2,879; 1865,2,778; 1870, 
3,057; 1875, 3,168. Assessors' Report of 1878 shows: 
Valuation of real estate, $1,277,898 ; personal estate, $230,- 
376 ; number of acres taxed, 10,059 ; number of polls taxed, 
725 ; number of houses, 601 ; number of horses, 327 ; cows, 
339 ; sheep, 11 ; rate of taxation, $12.50 per $1,000. The 
Union Straw Works' personal property, being owned by a 
corporation, is not included in the above. Total assessed 
valuation in 1877, $1,569,726. 



DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CON- 
VENTIONS. 
1779, John Everett; 1820, Seth Boyden; 1853, Henry 
Hobart. 

Hon. Ebenezer Warren was delegate to the convention, 
1788, that adopted the Federal Constitution. 



STATE SENATORS FROM FOXBOROUGH. 



Henry Hobart, 1852. 
James E. Carpenter, 1855, 
1856. 



Otis Cary, 1863, 1864. 
Erastus P. Carpenter, 1872, 
1873, 1874. 



REPRESENTATIVES TO GENERAL COURT 

FROM 1778 TO 1878. 

John Everett, 1779, 1780, 
1781, 1784, 1785, 1792. 
Ebenezer Warren, 1783. 



Seth Boyden, 1809, 1810, 
1811, 1826, 1827, 1829. 
Elias Nason, 1812. 



238 



FOXBOROUGIl CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



John Sherman, 1823, 1824, 

1828, 1839. 
Willard Pierce, 1830, 1840. 
Meletiah Everett, 1831. 
Henry Hobart, 1832, 1833, 

1835, 1836. 
Joseph Kingsbury, 1834. 
Stephen Rhodes, 1837. 
Warren Bird, 1838, 1841. 
Silas Ripley, 1839. 
Nehemiah Carpenter, 1842. 
Francis Dane, 1843, 1844. 
John M. Everett, 1846. 
Martin Torrey, 1849, 1851. 
Alfred Hodges, 1850. 



James Stratton, 1853, 1854. 
John Littlefield, 1855, 1856, 

1857. 
Daniels Carpenter, 1858. 
Otis Cary, 1860, 1861. 
Robert W. Kerr, 1863, 1864. 
Ezra Carpenter, 1866. 
Frederick K. Ballon, 1867. 
John M. Merrick, 1869. 
J. E. Carpenter, 1870. 
Wm. H. Thomas, 1872. 
George T. Ryder, 1873. 
Wm. A. Thompson, 1875. 
Joseph A. Kingsbury, 1876. 
James F. Leonard, 1878. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Warren Bird, 

R. Walter S. Black well, 

Seth Boy den, 

David Capen, 

James Capen, 

Erastus P. Carpenter, 

James E. Carpenter,^ 

Robert W. Carpenter, 

Edmund Carroll, 

Julius Carroll, 

Otis Cary, 

Edwin W. Clarke, 

Aaron Everett, 

John M. Everett, 

Melatiah Everett, ^ 



Alfred Fales, 
Thomas M. George, 
Freedom Guild, 
Edward D. Hewins, 
Henry Hobart, 
Noah Hobart, 
Alfred Hodges, 
Charles W. Hodges, 
Robert W. Kerr, 
Joseph Kingsbury, 
James F. Leonard, 
John Littlefield, 
John Q. Lynch, 
Elias Nason, 
Swift Payson, 



^ Also Justices of the Quorum. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



239 



William Payson, 
Gardner M. Peck, 
Joseph E. Pond, Jr., 
Abijah Pratt, 
Carmi Richmond, 
Frank I. Sherman, 
George Sherman, 
John Sherman, 



Isaac Smith, 
A. Thomas Starkey, 
William H. Thomas, 
Ebenezer Wnrren, 
Joseph W^arren, 
Samuel S. Warren, 
Daniel B. Whittier. 



SELECTMEN FROM 1778 TO 1878. 



1779, 



1779, 
1798, 



Josiah Pratt, 1778, 

1781-85, 1794. 
John Everett, 1778, 

1788, 1792, 1793, 

1799. 
Benjamin Pettee, 1778, 1779. 
Daniel Robinson, 1778. 
Joseph Shepard, 1778. 
Samuel Billings, 1779, 1786. 
Nathaniel Clark, 1779, 1782- 

85, 1791, 1792. 
Nehemiah Carpenter, 1780, 

1787. 
Swift Payson, 1780, 1781. 
Ebenezer Warren, 1780, 

1786, 1789-93. 
Aaron Everett, 1781-85. 
Simon Pettee, 1786, 1781», 

1790. 
Samuel Baker, 1787, 1788. 
Joshua Armsby, 1788. 
Joseph Hews, 1789, 1790, 

1795-99. 



George Stratton, 1791-93, 

1798-1808. 
Spencer Hodges, 1794-97. 
Abijah Pratt, 1794-99, 1801, 

1819. 
William Sumner, 1799-1805. 
Seth Boyden, 1802, 1811, 

1813, 1815, 1817, 1829. 
Joseph Kingsbury, 1806-08. 
Elias Nason, 1809-12. 
Jesse Hartshorn, 1810, 

1811. 
Ethridge Clark, 1812, 1814. 
Stephen Sherman, 1812, 

1830-33. 
Jacob Leonard, 1813, 1814. 
Harvey Pettee, 1813, 1814. 
Peter Carpenter, 1814. 
Beriah Mann, 1815-19. 
John Sherman, 1815-28. 
Daniel Everett, 1818-28. 
Joseph Warren, 1820-22. 
Asa Plimpton, 1823-26. 



240 



FOXBOROUGTI CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



David Capeu, 1827-33. 

Silas Smith, 1829. 

Henry llobart, 1830-32, 

1834-40, 1842-45. 
Joseph Kingsbury, 1833-35. 
Alpheus Bird, 1834-36, 1841. 
Ezra Carpenter, 1836-40, 

1853-59, 1862-66, 1871. 
Ephraim Grover, 1837-40. 
John M. Everett, 1841. 
George Sherman, 1841-45. 
Willard Plimpton, 1842-45. 
Freedom Guild, 1846-49, 

1853-61. 
Oliver Carpenter, 1846, 1847. 
Martin Torrey, 1846, 1847. 
Otis Gary, 1848-52, 1867- 

69, 1874, 1875. 
Job Sherman, 1848-52. 
Albert Fisher, 1850-52. 
James Stratton, 1853-57. 



James Capen, 1858-61, 1868, 
1869, 1870. 

Jeremiah M. Shepard, 1860- 
63. 

Elisha White, Jr., 1862-66. 

William H. Thomas, 1864-66. 
[ Edmund Carroll, 1867, 1868. 
I Charles W. Hodges, 18»'7. 
i William H. Cobb, 18(59. 

James F. Leonard, 1870, 
1871, 1875-77. 

Eli Phelps, 1870-73. 

Henry G. AVarren, 1872, 
1873, 1876, 1877. 

Michael Pvyan, 1872. 

Benjamin B. King, 1873. 

Alfred Hodges, 1874. 

James A. Comcy, 1874, 1875. 

NewlandF. HoAvard, 1876-78. 

Erastus P. Carpenter, 1878. 

Willard P. Turner, 1878. 



TOWN CLERKS. 



Swift Pay son, 1778, 1779. 
Amariah Marsh, 1780-83. 
Nehemiah Carpenter, 1784, 

1785. 
Abijah Pratt, 1786-88. 
Aaron Everett, 1789-1800. 
George Stratton, 1801-08. 
BeriahMann, 1809, 1815-19. 
William Payson, 1810-14. 
Shubal Pratt, 1820-22. 
James Paine, 1823-31. 



Melatiah Everett, 1831. 
Otis Hodges, 1832, 1833. 
Warren Bird, 1834-47. 
Silas liipley, 1848, 1849. 
Nathaniel T. Shepard, 1850- 

54. 
James E. Carpenter, 1855-60. 
William H.Thomas, 1861-72. 
James F. Leonard, 1872-77. 
William H. Torrey, 1878. 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



241 



SETTLED MINISTERS 



Congregationalist. 

Thomas Kendal, 
Daniel Loriug, 
Thomas Skelton, 
Thomas Williams, 
Willard Pierce, 
Daniel J. Poor, 
William Barnes, 
Edmund Y. Garrette, 
Noadiah S. Dickinson, 

Baptist.i 

Warren Bird, 
Timothy C. Tingley, 
Silas Ripley, 
Edwin B. Bullard, 
Silas Ripley, 
Isaac Smith, 
Cyrus H. Carleton, 
William H. Spencer, 

Universalist. 

Charles W. Mellen, 
E. C. Rogers, 
W. G. Anderson, 
Holmes Slade, 
Lucius Holmes, 



Settled. 


Resigned. 


1786 


1800 


1804 


1806 


1807 


1816 


1816 


1821 


1824 


1839 


1840 


1847 


1847 


1854 


1854 


1857 


1858 


1869 


Settled. 


Resigned. 


1822 


1828 


1831 


1837 


1837 


1841 


1842 


1843 


1843 


1854 


1854 


1867 


1867 


Died, 1868 


1869 




Settled. 


Resigned. 


1843 


1846 


1846 


1847 


1847 


1848 


1848 


1853 


1853 


1857 



1 It has been stated that Rev. Shubael Lovell, who preached to this church in 1187 
and 1818, in a house standincj near the locality of the present residence of Capt. D. L. 
Shepard, on South street, was settled here ; but this is an error, as he was at no time 
settled in Foxborough. The year of settlement of Rev. Warren Bird has been errone- 
ously stated as 1819, but by the records of the Society, it is learned that he only supplied 
the pulpit until 1822, in which year he was settled. Rev. Mr. Carleton was the onlv 
settled minister who died during his ministry in Foxborough, during the iirst century 
of its corporate existence. 



242 



FOXBOROUGII CENTENNIAL RECORD. 



Supplied. 


Resigned. 


1858 


1859 


1860 


1865 


1866 


1869 


1869 


1874 


1874 


1876 


1876 


1877 


1878 





Universalist. 

N. C. Hodgclon, 
C. A. Bradley, 
John M. Merrick, 
James H. Little, 
Allen P. Folsom, 
W. AV. Hay ward, 
Q. H. Shinn, 



CHANGE IN BOUNDARY LINES. 
Since the incorporation of the town the following changes 
in its boundary lines, etc., have been made, viz., June 20, 
1793, County of Norfolk established, thus removing Fox- 
borough from Suffolk County. February 3, 1819, boundary 
line between AYrcutham and Foxborough established. Feb- 
ruary 7, 1831, part of AVrentham annexed to Foxborough. 
January 30, 1833, boundary line between Sharon and Fox- 
borough estalbished. March 27, 1833, and March 28, 1834, 
part of F(Jxborough annexed to AYalpole. February 28, 
1850, part of Sharon annexed to Foxborough. 



AERANGEMENT OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Town House .... 

Union Straw AYorks 

Old Carpenter House and Laundry 

Old Meeting-house and plan of jjews 

Orthodox church 

Memorial Hall 

Judge Warren House and W. T. Cook's farm-house 

Residences of V. S. Pond and L. P. 

Portrait of Charles James Fox 

Baptist and First Baptist churches 

Universalist and Catholic churches 

Samaritan Building and Crocker & Shepard's 

Union Building and Howe Monument 

Old Brick church ..... 



Faught 



Page. 

17 

33 

49 

65 

81 

97 

113 

129 

145 

161 

177 

193 

209 

241 



FOXBOROUGn CENTENNIAL RECORD. 243 



DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

The Town House — the illustration of which fronts page 
17 — was built in 1857, at an expense of $15,400, which 
amount includes the cost of the land. In 1874 an addition 
Avas built, for school purposes, at an expense of $26,244.31. 
The building is heated by steam from a boiler in the 
basement, and is lighted by gas. The basement contains 
the lock-up (three cells) ; cistern, containing 33,000 gallons 
of water, for use in case of fire ; the boiler-room, coal-bins, 
etc. The first floor of the main structure contains the 
Lower Town Hall, 36x54 feet, with ante-rooms, town 
officers' office (with ante-room), in which is situated the 
safe recently erected at an expense of $650, second primary 
school-room, public entrance to Town Hall, and ticket office. 
The second floor is occupied by the Town Hall, 50X75 feet, 
with two ante-rooms, each 12X20 feet;. it has a platform 
15X26 feet, and gallery 17X45 feet. The hall and gallery 
seat 800 persons. The School-house Addition, so called, 
is occupied on the first floor by the first primary and 
second intermediate schools ; on the secf)nd floor by the 
grammar and first intermediate schools ; each of these 
schools occupies a room 35x24 feet, furnished with the most 
improved school furniture, and has commodious clothes- 
rooms, sink-rooms, and water-closets connected. On the 
second floor are also two dressing-rooms, each 14X15 feet, 
with water-closets, connected with the platform of the Town 
Hall. The upper floor is occupied by the high school, which 
has a room 50 feet square, with commodious clothes-rooms 
and water-closets. The number of pupils which can be 
seated in these six school-rooms is over three hundred. 

The Town House is situated on elevated ground, having a 
large common in front of and between it and South street. 
Foxborough steam fire-engine house is situated a few rods 



244 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

north-easterly of the addition, and can be seen in the ilhis- 
tration. Cocassct engine-house is simihirly situated, south- 
easterly of the building. 

The Union Stkaw Works — the illustration of which fronts 
page 33 — stands on Wall street, and occupies, with machine- 
shop, foundry, gasometer, bleach-house and yards, stables, 
etc., about 210,000 feet of land. Opposite are the A'eranda 
and Hamlet Houses, boarding-houses owned by the proprietors 
of the U.S.W. The expense of building these works, includ- 
ino- the addition built in 1856, exceeded $150,000. Connected 
with these works, and owned by the same Corporation — the 
Union and Bay State Manufacturing Co., — are the "West 
Branch," a large three-story building on Main street, for- 
merly the manufactory of Foxboro' Jewelry Co., and the 
" South Branch," known as "Nason's Factory" when built in 
1810, situated on Water street. These buildings are managed 
by Wm. T. Cook & Co. (W. T. Cook and L. Porter Faught), 
for the corporation. Reference to the Union Straw Works 
is made on pages 30, 33, 75, 92, 93, 129-132, 169, 171. 

The Old Carpenter House — fronting page 49 — was 
the first building erected in the Centre. It stands on a 
leading way off South street, and near the Town House. It 
was built in 1749-50 by Nehemiah Carpenter, who came to 
this place from Rehoboth. It afterwards served as an inn, 
and was know as the " Old Tavern," and the old settle in the 
big room, the bar, till, and many other of the original fixtures, 
still remain. It is now occupied as a dwelling-house. 

The Old Stone Factory, or Foxboro' Laundry, shown 
on the same page, is located in the section known as "New 
State," on Granite street, at the head of Cocasset pond. It 
was erected about 1825 by Simon Pettee, and was foi- many 
years used for the raanufiicture of cotton cloth. The prem- 
ises are now occupied by Capt. Ezra Pickens for a steam 
laundry. 

The Old Meeting-house — shown opposite page 65 — was 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 245 

taken from the sketch made by Mr. Amos J. Boyden, and 
referred to on page 192. It was erected about 1763, and 
torn down between Dec. 31, 1821, and Jan. 4, 1822. 
See pages 69-70, 87 and 192. 

The Orthodox Congregational Church — opposite page 
81 — was built in 1854, and stands at the head of Rock Hill 
street. 

The Old Brick Church — illustration opposite page 241 
— was built in 1822 (dedicated in January, 1823) by the 
Congregational Society soon after the destruction of the lirst 
meeting-house, and was located quite near the site of the old 
structure, and al)out one hundred feet north-west of where 
Memorial Rock now rests. It was taken down in 1855. 

Memorial Hall — illustration fronting page 97 — was 
erected by the town in 1868, in the old burying-ground near 
the common, at a cost of $13,000. It is built of pebble- 
stone with granite trimmings, with slated roof and dome on 
which is a large figure of a Union soldier with arms at rest. 
The interior is handsomely finished in oiled chestnut, the 
sides not occupied by the memorial tablets being fitted Avith 
cases containing the books of the Public Library. Over the 
entrance is a marble tablet inscribed, " Soldiers' Memorial. 
Erected by the Tow^n, A.D. 1868," with bronze coat of arms 
of the United States at the right and of Massachusetts at the 
left ; immediately above are three alcoves, draped with silk 
banners, in which it is proposed to place statues of Washing- 
ton, Adams, and Andrew. At the right of the entrance is the 
marble tablet described on page 229, and, on the left, the tab- 
let described on page 230 ; immediatel}^ opposite, and sur- 
mounted by a large figure of the Goddess of Liberty in 
colored glass, is the tablet containing the names of "Our 
Honored Dead." Reference to the Hall is made on pages 
98, 135, 218, 219, and 229. 

The Warren House — illustration fronting page 113 — 
Avas one of the first houses of the modern style of architecture 



246 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

built in Foxborough, and was considered a great novelty. 
It was the dwelling of Hon. Ebenezer Warren, brother of 
Gen. Joseph Warren, whose name is prominent in these 
pages, as was the Judge among his fellow-men in the early 
days of the town. The house is now occupied by Henry G. 
Warren, Esq., grandson of Judge Warren. 

High Lawn Stock Farm Buildings — illustrated on the 
same page — are upon the large farm now owned by Mr. Wm. 
T. Cook and occupied by him as a summer residence. The 
farm was originally known as the "Payson Farm," having 
been the residence of Swift Payson and of Phillips Payson. 
This farm comprises eighty-four acres. This view was taken 
from the trotting park recently completed by Mr. Cook. 
Among the valuable and noted horses owned here are 
"Herald" and "Financier." 

Mr. Cook entertained His Excellency Governor Rice and 
others at this residence. Centennial Day. 

The Residences of Virgil S. Pond and L. Porter 
Faught (see pa^e 129) are situated on Main and Central 
streets, respectively, and are typical of the modern resi- 
dences of the village ; the taste and neatness exhibited in 
these is general, and has acquired for the town the title of 
" The Gem of Norfolk County." 

The portrait of Charles James Fox — fronting page 145 — 
was obtained from a steel-plate engraving on page 101, of 
the "Gallery of Portraits," Vol. 1. 

The First Baptist Church — shown fronting page 161 — 
was built in 1822, and cost $1,200; it was located on Elm 
street, near the present residence of Mr. Asahel Dean. It 
was about 36x40 feet, and was the first house of worship 
in town in which a stove was introduced. It was moved 
in May, 1838, to the site now occupied by the Town House, 
where it was lengthened twelve feet and a vestry finished 
in the basement. In 1850 it was sold, and ])ecame a part of 
the steam mill of V. S. Pond, which was burned January 



FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 24:7 

27, 1876. The illustration should have represented the 
building as being higher posted; it appears lower than it 
really was. 

The Baptist Church edifice, now occupied by the society, 
is shown on the same page, and stands on School street. 
It was built in 1850, at an expense of $4,200. Improve- 
ments were made in 1856 and 1860, and it has recently 
been enlarged and improved to such an extent as to make it 
proper to rededicate the building, which was done, in the 
presence of a large congregation, January 22, 1879. The 
historical address by Rev. Mr. Spencer, on this occasion, 
gives more fully the history of this building. 

The Universalist Church — illustration frontincf pao-e 
177 — was built in 1843, and is located at the head of Bird 
street, fronting the Common. It originally had a spire in 
addition to the belhy shown, Ijut this was blown of:' in a 
severe gale. It has a finished vestry, ante-rooms, etc., in 
the basement. 

The Roman Catholic Church — shown on the same 
page — is the third church which this denomination has built 
on the same site, at the head of Church street, and has been 
built but a few months. Their first church was built in 1859, 
and destroyed by fire March 1, 1862; their second church 
was built in 1873, and burned September 12, 1877. 

Samaritan Hall Building — illustration fronting page 193 
— is located on School street, facing the Common, and was 
built by the Fifth School District for a school-house in 1847, 
and in 1876-7 was remodelled, enlarged, and improved by 
Samaritan Hall Company, by which it is owned. W. S. 
Black well's printing-office occupies the basement ; the first 
floor is occupied by Gr. H. Butterworth's clothing store, 
Mrs. W. H. Torrey's millinery rooms, and by a hair-dresser's 
rooms. The second floor, Samaritan Hall, seats between 
four and five hundred persons. 

Lincoln Block, or Crocker & Shepard's Building — 



248 FOXBOROUGH CENTENNIAL RECORD. 

shown on the same page as above — was built for store 
purposes in 1847 by Edson Carpenter, and was for many 
years occupied as " a country store," straAV factory, and tailor- 
shop. It is located on School street, fronting the Common, 
and is now occupied by Godfrey & Comey, grocers ; by 
Crocker & Shepard, dealers in dry goods; by Dr. II. H. 
Bowles, dentist ; and l)y cloak and dress-making rooms. The 
floor above is fitted as a small hall, known as Lincoln Hall. 

Union Building — ilhistration fronting page 209 — 
stands at head of Foxborough Common, at the corner of 
Main street; its size is 60X72 feet, and was built in 1856-7, 
at an expense of about $13,000. The proprietors are Charles 
W. and Joseph F. Hodges. It is occupied by A. H. Mes- 
senger, grocer ; Benjamin F. Boyden, 2d, dealer in dry 
goods; C. W. Hodges, carpets and furniture ; Edgar W. 
Allen, merchant tailor; Miss M. B. Austin, milliner; by 
dress-making rooms, rooms of Foxborough Dramatic Com- 
pany, Hodges' furniture rooms, and by Union Hall. The 
building stands on the site formerly occupied by " Sumner's 
store," a building well known years ago. 

The Howe Monument — shown on same page — stands 
in rear of Memorial Hall. It is inscribed, "This monument 
was erected by Dr. N. INIiller to the memory of his friend 
Mr. ZADOCK HOWE, who died 1819, £et. 77, and who 
fought under the Great Washington. To those who view, 
before you're gone, be pleased to put this cover on." The 
cover referred to is a cast-iron urn, surmounted by an acorn 
dated 1810, and there is set in the urn a slate tablet, in- 
scribed, " The grave is waiting for your body, and Ohrist is 
waiting for your soul ; O jiiay this be your cheerful study to 
be prepared when death doth call." This slab and urn having 
been broken, it was replaced hy the Centennial Committee, 
the original acorn being retained. The granite capstone is 
inscribed, " Wrought by the deceased, 1810," and "Repaired 
by his son, Z. Howe, M.D., 1841." 



As it is very desirable to know as early as possible, the 
number of guests to be entertained, you will please report 
your intentions at once, by returning enclosed card, with the 
name or names ( this invitation includes all members of 
families), written in full, under the words, '•'■ACCEPT'' or 
''DECLINED 

The Committee trust that all will respond in person, but if 
not, a letter will be gratefully received, that all may have a 
record, in connection with this important and interesting 
occasion. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



E. P. CARPENTER, WM. T. COOK, OTIS GARY, J. A. KINGSBURY, 
JAMES CAPEN, C. W. HODGES, R. W. CARPENTER. 



RAILROAD CONNECTIONS 

Will be made with early morning trains upon Boston and Albany, Boston and 
Providence, New York and New England, and Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg 
and New Bedford Railroads, enabling visitors to arrive in season for the 
opening exercises. 

Late afternoon trains will make close connections with above roads. 



